Mark Cuban Says Sam Altman Is ‘All Over the Map’ as OpenAI Spending Surges

Mark Cuban is openly questioning whether OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, are burning through cash faster than artificial intelligence can realistically repay.

During a recent appearance on the Big Technology Podcast, Cuban took aim at the massive spending race currently dominating the AI industry, arguing that companies pouring billions into infrastructure may never see the returns they expect. “They’ll never get it,” Cuban said when asked whether firms like OpenAI could justify the scale of their investments. “They’re just f***ing away that money… at scale.”

Cuban’s comments arrive at a moment when OpenAI remains one of the biggest drivers of the global AI boom. The company has aggressively expanded its computing power, partnerships, and data center ambitions while competing against rivals including Google, Meta, and Anthropic.

But Cuban argued that advances in processing power could quickly make today’s spending levels look excessive. “The ability to process is going to get faster [and] cheaper,” he said, adding that many of the trillion-dollar projections being discussed in tech “aren’t going to come to fruition.”

Rather than dismissing AI itself, Cuban focused on what he sees as a dangerous winner-take-all mentality among foundational model companies. He compared the space to search engines and streaming services, where only a small number of dominant players ultimately survive. “If you’re not the winner, then you’ve got problems,” he said.

According to Cuban, companies are continuing to raise and spend enormous sums because they believe they have no choice if they want to stay competitive.

The billionaire investor also singled out Altman directly, suggesting the OpenAI chief has become too scattered in his approach. “Sam is all over the map, and I think that’ll backfire on him,” Cuban said.

He pointed to reports of major hardware and chip negotiations, saying abrupt changes in direction can damage trust with business partners. “At some point, people stop trusting and stop wanting to do business,” he added.

Cuban contrasted OpenAI’s strategy with what he described as more focused approaches from competitors. He praised Anthropic’s emphasis on coding and agents, while arguing that Google already has a built-in advantage because Gemini is directly integrated with search and advertising.

He also questioned whether OpenAI’s push into healthcare and other industries yields sustainable standalone products or merely features that competitors can eventually replicate.

The criticism lands during a turbulent stretch for Altman, who has recently faced scrutiny far beyond AI development itself. In recent months, his San Francisco home was targeted in multiple attacks, including a Molotov cocktail incident and a reported shooting investigation.

Altman is also fighting a civil lawsuit filed by his sister, accusing him of childhood sexual abuse, allegations he has denied while pursuing a countersuit for defamation.