Veteran investor Michael Burry, famous for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, has publicly challenged reports that NVIDIA is planning to back a $250 billion financing guarantee for OpenAI. The deal, reported by the Wall Street Journal, would involve NVIDIA guaranteeing financing for a massive 10-gigawatt AI data center campus being developed by SoftBank’s SB Energy in Ohio.
According to the report, the guarantee would help OpenAI lease the facility despite lacking an investment-grade credit rating. The total project cost, including AI chips and supporting infrastructure, could eventually exceed $500 billion. Burry warned that such arrangements represent what he calls ‘circular financing’—where companies fund the infrastructure needed to purchase their own products, creating layers of financial dependence rather than demand driven by sustainable profits.
Burry’s concerns echo growing skepticism among analysts who argue that mega AI projects rely on complex financing structures while many AI firms, including OpenAI, continue to operate without consistent profitability. Critics say the model could become vulnerable if AI demand cools or capital becomes more expensive.
NVIDIA’s potential role extends beyond chip sales. The company has already invested around $30 billion in OpenAI and is reportedly considering providing up to $350 billion in financing for chip purchases. This guarantee would enable SoftBank to borrow on more favorable terms while ensuring ongoing demand for NVIDIA’s hardware. However, discussions remain ongoing, and no final agreement has been reached.
As capital spending on AI infrastructure surges, Burry’s remarks highlight the tension between optimism about AI’s future and concerns about the sustainability of financing models. While supporters argue that demand for AI computing will continue to grow, skeptics warn that the industry’s reliance on massive investment commitments could pose dangers to both companies and investors.