OpenAI’s hyperscaler ambitions are being put to the test with its latest megadeals
Sam Altman didn’t set out to compete with Nvidia.
OpenAI began with a simple bet that better ideas, not better infrastructure, would unlock artificial general intelligence. But that view shifted years ago, as Altman realized that more compute, or processing power, meant more capability — and ultimately, more dominance.
On Monday morning, he unveiled his latest blockbuster deal, one that moves OpenAI squarely into the chipmaking business and further into competition with the hyperscalers.
OpenAI is partnering with Broadcom to co-develop racks of custom AI accelerators, purpose-built for its own models. It’s a big shift for a company that once believed intelligence would come from smarter algorithms, not bigger machines.
“In 2017, the thing that we found was that we were getting the best results out of scale,” the OpenAI CEO said in a company podcast on Monday. “It wasn’t something we set out to prove. It was something we really discovered empirically because of everything else that didn’t work nearly as well.”
That insight — that the key was scale, not cleverness — fundamentally reshaped OpenAI.
Now, the company is expanding that logic even further, teaming up with Broadcom to design and deploy racks of custom silicon optimized for OpenAI’s workloads.
The deal gives OpenAI deeper control over its stack, from training frontier models to owning the infrastructure, distribution, and developer ecosystem that turns those models into lasting platforms.
Altman’s rapid series of deals and product launches is assembling a complete AI ecosystem, much like Apple did for smartphones and Microsoft did for PCs, with infrastructure, hardware, and developers at its core.
Hardware
Through its partnership with Broadcom, OpenAI is co-developing custom AI accelerators, optimized for inference and tailored specifically to its own models.
Unlike Nvidia and AMD chips, which are designed for broader commercial use, the new silicon is built for vertically integrated systems, tightly coupling compute, memory, and networking into full rack-level infrastructure. OpenAI plans to begin deploying them in late 2026.
The Broadcom deal is similar to what Apple did with its M-series chips: control the semiconductors, control the experience.
But OpenAI is going even further and engineering every layer of the hardware stack, not just the chip.
The Broadcom systems are built on its Ethernet stack and designed to accelerate OpenAI’s core workloads, giving the company a physical advantage that’s deeply entangled with its software edge.
At the same time, OpenAI is pushing into consumer hardware, a rare move for a model-first company.
Its $6.4 billion all-stock acquisition of Jony Ive‘s startup, io, brought the legendary Apple designer into its inner circle. It was a sign that OpenAI doesn’t just want to power AI experiences, it wants to own them.
Ive and his team are exploring a new class of AI-native devices designed to reshape how people interact with intelligence, moving beyond screens and keyboards toward more intuitive, engaging experiences.
Reports of early concepts include a screenless, wearable device that uses voice input and subtle haptics, envisioned more as an ambient companion than a traditional gadget.
OpenAI’s twin bet on custom silicon and emotionally resonant consumer hardware adds two more powerful branches over which it has direct control.
Blockbuster deals
OpenAI’s chips, datacenters and power fold into one coordinated campaign called Stargate that provides the physical backbone of AI.
In the past three weeks, that campaign has gone into overdrive with several major deals:
- OpenAI and Nvidia have agreed to a framework for deploying 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems, backed by a proposed $100 billion investment.
- AMD will supply OpenAI with multiple generations of its Instinct GPUs under a 6-gigawatt deal. OpenAI can acquire up to 10% of AMD if certain deployment milestones are met.
- Broadcom’s custom inference chips and racks are slated to begin deployment in late 2026, as part of Stargate’s first 10‑gigawatt phase.
Taken together, it is OpenAI’s push to root the future of AI in infrastructure it can call its own.
“We are able to think from etching the transistors all the way up to the token that comes out when you ask ChatGPT a question, and design the whole system,” Altman said. “We can get huge efficiency gains, and that will lead to much better performance, faster models, cheaper models — all of that.”
Whether or not OpenAI can deliver on every promise, the scale and speed of Stargate is already reshaping the market, adding hundreds of billions in market cap for its partners, and establishing OpenAI as the de facto market leader in AI infrastructure.
None of its rivals appears able to match the pace or ambition. And that perception alone is proving a powerful advantage.
Developers
OpenAI’s DevDay made it clear that the company isn’t just focused on building the best models — it’s betting on the people who build with them.
“OpenAI is trying to compete on several fronts,” said Gil Luria, Head of Technology Research at D.A. Davidson, pointing to its frontier model, consumer-facing chat product, and enterprise API platform. “It is competing with some combination of all the large technology companies in one or more of these markets.”
Developer Day, he said, was aimed at helping companies incorporate OpenAI models into their own tools.
“The tools they presented were very impressive — OpenAI has been terrific at commercializing their products in a compelling and easy-to-use manner,” he added. “Having said that, they are fighting an uphill battle, since the companies they are competing with have significantly more resources — at least for now.”
The main competition, Luria said, is primarily Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud.
Developer Day signaled just how aggressively OpenAI is leaning in.
The company rolled out AgentKit for developers, new API bundles for enterprise, and a new App Store that offers direct distribution inside ChatGPT — which now reaches 800 million weekly active users, according to OpenAI.
“It’s the Apple playbook: own the ecosystem and become a platform,” said Menlo Ventures partner Deedy Das.
Until now, most companies treated OpenAI as a tool in their stack. But with new features for publishing, monetizing, and deploying apps directly inside ChatGPT, OpenAI is pushing for tighter integration — and making it harder for developers to walk away.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella pursued a similar strategy after taking over from Steve Ballmer.
To build trust with developers, Nadella leaned into open source and acquired GitHub for $7.5 billion, a move that signaled Microsoft’s return to the developer community.
GitHub later became the launchpad for tools like Copilot, anchoring Microsoft back at the center of the modern developer stack.
“OpenAI and all the big hyperscalers are going for vertical integration,” said Ben van Roo, CEO of Legion, a startup building secure agent frameworks for defense and intelligence use cases.
“Use our models and our compute, and build the next-gen agents and workflows with our tools. The market is massive. We’re talking about replaying SaaS, big systems of record, and literally part of the labor force,” said van Roo.
SaaS stands for software as a service, a group of companies specializing in enterprise software and services, of which Salesforce, Oracle and Adobe are part.
Legion’s strategy is to stay model-agnostic and focus on secure, interoperable agentic workflows that span multiple systems. The company is already deploying inside classified Department of Defense environments and embedding across platforms like NetSuite and Salesforce.
But that same shift also introduces risk for the model makers.
“Agents and workflows make some of the massive LLMs both powerful and maybe less necessary,” he noted. “You can build reasoning agents with smaller and specific workflows without GPT-5.”
The tools and agents built with leading LLMs have the potential to replace legacy software products from companies like Microsoft and Salesforce.
That’s why OpenAI is racing to build the infrastructure around its models. It’s not just to make them more powerful, but harder to replace.
The real bet isn’t that the best model will win, but that the company with the most complete developer loop will define the next platform era.
And that’s the vision for ChatGPT now: Not just a chatbot, but an operating system for AI.
Can-Am, a subsidiary of BRP, has officially entered the electric age. After bringing their electric motorcycle to market, they electrified another segment of their line-up: ATVs, starting with the Outlander Electric.
Last month, I visited Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to test out the electric ATV, and I came away impressed by the experience.
Can-Am Outlander Electric
The new Outlander Electric is built for work, and its specs back that up. The electric motor delivers 47 hp and 53 lb-ft of torque, providing instant and silent power. But the headline feature is its impressive 1,830 lb towing capacity, which surpasses even high-end gasoline-powered ATVs from competitors and Can-Am’s own lineup.
The ATV is powered by an 8.9 kWh battery, which is relatively small, offering a range of up to 50 miles (80 km).
While this might not seem like a massive range for recreational users, it’s more than enough for a day’s work on the farm or for hunters and park rangers who need to move quietly through natural environments, which is the intended use of this ATV. It’s not a trail vehicle.
When it comes to charging, the Outlander Electric supports Level 2 charging, which can replenish the battery from 20% to 80% in just 50 minutes. You can also recharge the ATV on a regular 120-volt outlet overnight.
Can-Am has also included several features tailored to the needs of its customers. The Outlander Electric has three selectable ride modes: Normal, Sport, and Work, allowing the rider to adjust the power delivery to the task at hand. It also comes equipped with a 5-inch color display, XPS Recon Force tires, and a full skid plate for protection.
Priced at US $12,999, the Can-Am Outlander Electric ATV is now available on Can-Am’s site and from its dealers.
Outlander Electric First Drive
I’ve been pushing for electric ATVs for years. They make so much sense. Suppose you are using a vehicle to experience nature. In that case, it makes sense that the vehicle doesn’t pollute the nature you are trying to experience, whether this pollution is from emissions or noise.
The near-silent operation of the electric motor is a game-changer for many applications. The lack of engine noise is a significant advantage for farmers working around livestock, hunters who don’t want to scare away game, and anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors without the disruptive roar of a gas engine.
Speaking of the lack of noise, Can-Am did its homework in this regard. Just like legacy automakers making electric cars for the first time, they realize that the vehicles are noisier than expected, as their internal combustion engines bury some of the quieter clicks and rustles.
At lower speeds, I couldn’t hear a thing coming from the Outlander Electric. Only at higher speeds can you start to hear the winding of the electric motors and the tires throwing back dirt.
Here I was just having fun on the trails near the Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming:
It is the level of polish and refinement that you’d expect from Can-Am – it just happens to be electric.
The Outland Electric is also very capable. With the electric torque and the speed limiter, you find yourself easily pulling heavy loads without even feeling it.
Here I was pulling heavy tree trunks, and I had to look back to make sure they were still attached:
Electrek’s Take
This is a significant move from a major player in the off-road vehicle market. For years, we’ve seen smaller startups and conversions in the electric ATV space, but a full-fledged electric model from a brand like Can-Am signals a real shift in the industry.
The focus on utility and work is a smart one, as Can-Am limited itself to the same powertrain as on its electric motorcycles.
While the 50-mile range might be a sticking point for some recreational riders who want to spend all day on the trails, it’s more than adequate for the target audience of this vehicle: ranchers, farmers, and small farm owners.
The high towing capacity and quiet operation are killer features for anyone who needs to get work done, and the instant torque of the electric motor will be a welcome advantage on the farm or in the field.
The starting price of $17,799 is certainly a premium, but it’s not out of line with high-end gas-powered utility ATVs. When you factor in the reduced maintenance (no oil changes, filters, or spark plugs) and the lower cost of electricity compared to gasoline, the total cost of ownership could be very competitive.
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Environment
Jeep’s new Grand Wagoneer is America’s first range-extended EV, and it can drive 500 miles
Jeep’s flagship SUV will be the first range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) in the US. The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is more powerful, more electric, and more stylish than ever.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer becomes first extended-range EV
The Grand Wagoneer, Jeep’s biggest SUV, has undergone a significant overhaul for the 2026 model year. Jeep updated the SUV with more than just a stylish new design.
The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer will arrive next year as America’s first range-extended EV (REEV), bringing a few changes to the lineup.
For one, Jeep is dropping the smaller Wagoneer name with all 2026 models unifying under one name: The Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Previously, Jeep offered Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, each with different trims, which made things too confusing for buyers.
Every Grand Cherokee will now wear the Jeep badge up front as part of its refreshed design. Jeep updated the front face with a slimmer grille and full-length LED lights.
The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer will be available in two powertrains, an REEV or a 3.0 Hurricane Twin Turbo engine.
Jeep said the REEV version will draw power from a liquid-cooled 92 kWh battery pack that lies flat on the floor, helping to preserve interior space.
Power is transferred from a 3.6-liter V6 engine to a 130 kW generator. When the battery gets low, the gas engine acts as a generator, extending the driving range to upwards of 500 miles in total.
Jeep said the Grand Wagoneer “sets a new benchmark in flagship performance.” With an estimated 647 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque, the big body SUV can move from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds, making it the most powerful Grand Wagoneer yet.
The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer will be offered with three trims: an entry-level, Limited, and Summit, starting at $62,145.
| 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Trim | 4X2 | 4X4 | LWB 4X2 |
LWB 4X4 |
| Grand Wagoneer | $62,145 | $65,145 | $65,145 | $68,145 |
| Limited Altitude | NA | $71,140 | NA | $74,140 |
| Summit Obsidian | NA | $93,390 | NA | $96,390 |
The Limited trim starts at $71,140, while the Summit will cost at least $93,390. Upgrading to the long wheelbase (LWB) version costs an extra $3,000.
Jeep will begin production later this year of the 2026 Grand Cherokee with the 3.0 Hurricane engine. The extended-range EV version will be built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan alongside its ICE counterparts.
Meanwhile, Jeep has yet to reveal prices or when it will begin production on the REEV version. We should find out soon.
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Environment
Score $1,000 off EcoFlow’s upcoming DELTA Pro Ultra X station, Heybike Hero carbon-fiber e-bikes start from new $1,899 low, more
Following right along in the same fashion as yesterday’s Green Deals, today’s edition is led by another pre-sale offer on upcoming tech, with EcoFlow offering a way to score a super early-bird $1,000 discount on its soon-to-release DELTA Pro Ultra X Whole-Home Power Station. Behind it is Heybike’s Halloween Sale, which is not only continuing some Prime Day lows, but also dropping the Hero Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain 1,000W e-bike to a new $1,899 low. We also have EcoFlow’s final extended Prime Day 48-hour flash sale on two extra battery units and a Smart Home Panel 2 – all starting from a $349 low, and more waiting for you below – plus, many more available to browse in our Post-Prime Day Green Deals hub here. And don’t forget about the hangover deals from yesterday that are collected together at the bottom of the page, including the early-bird savings on Anker’s new SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station, and more.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Here’s how to score $1,000 savings on EcoFlow’s upcoming DELTA Pro Ultra X power station
Right alongside its ongoing Prime Day Sale that has been extended through October 15, EcoFlow has launched the super early-bird savings promotion for its upcoming DELTA Pro Ultra X Whole-Home Power Station (1 inverter and 2x batteries) ahead of its release on November 3, 2025. At this time, pricing information is surprisingly limited, with the brand simply offering the deal of a $500 deposit made between now and November 2, scoring you a $1,000 discount upon its launch from November 3 to November 30. The predecessor model carries a $6,098 tag at full price, with it regularly keeping under $5,000 most of the time, so it’s safe to say that this new model’s MSRP will land somewhere around those rates. Along with the initial discount, the brand is also promising up to $1,000 in installation subsidies when grabbing the station bundled with the brand’s new Smart Home Panel 3. Head below to learn more about this all-new backup power solution.
If you thought EcoFlow couldn’t get more expansive with its whole-home backup solutions, think again, as the new DELTA Pro Ultra X station starts with the same 6,144Wh LiFePO4 capacity (though it seems the base model may be a 2x battery setup starting at 12,288Wh) that you can scale upwards with future investments as high as 180kWh (over the standard DELTA Pro Ultra’s max 90kWh capacity). Like the older model, this one also boasts an expanding output rate from 12,000W to 36,000W, and provides a wide array of output ports to cover devices, appliances, your RV, and so much more – especially if you plan to utilize it to cover your at-home breakers with the new Smart Home Panel 3.
That new Smart Home Panel 3 comes as a 200A hub that can be installed to cover up to 32 circuits in your home, allowing you to easily turn off non-essential loads when the grid fails. Recharging information for the DELTA Pro Ultra X so far shows inputs for an AC outlet, as well as gas generators, solar panels, and even EV chargers – plus, it supports Time-of-Use to automatically charge and discharge the battery based on your regions real-time pricing and electrical forecasts. We will update you with more information as it becomes available to us, and in the meantime, be sure to check out EcoFlow’s introductory video for its DELTA Pro Ultra X station here:
You have through October 15 to take advantage of EcoFlow’s extended Prime Day deals seeing up to 65% discounts, which start from $169. Another new release that is still live with up to $2,000 launch savings is the brand’s DELTA 3 Max and Ultra power stations, plus they get some FREE gear too, all starting from $759.
Heybike offers Hero carbon-fiber all-terrain e-bikes at best prices starting from new $1,899 low, more
Heybike has launched its Halloween Sale with up to $800 savings on e-bikes and some FREE gear accompanying models, which coincides with the launch of its newest Helio F Smart Classic e-bike, which you can learn about in our initial launch coverage. Among the bunch, the largest discount is hitting Heybike’s Hero Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bikes, which are seeing a new low on the 1,000W rear hub model at $1,899 shipped, while the upgraded 750W mid-drive model is keeping to its $2,299 shipped rate we saw during Prime Day. These two e-bikes usually fetch $2,599 and $3,099 at full price, with the latter having sat at this all-time low for the first time during the brand’s Prime Day Sale, while the former is dropping under its previous $2,099 low from that sale for an even better-than-ever deal.
If you want to learn more about these high-end e-bikes, or the full lineup of deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.
Save up to 56% on EcoFlow DELTA 2 and 3 Pro expansion batteries or a home hub starting from a $349 low for 48 hours
As part of its soon-to-end extended Prime Day Sale, EcoFlow has launched a 48-hour flash sale on three different units to either expand or upgrade your backup support, with prices starting lowest on the DELTA 2 Smart Extra Battery for $349 shipped, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $60. This add-on unit normally carries a $799 MSRP direct from the brand, though it can often be found down around $599 on average, with discounts having usually dropped the costs further between $449 and $409, save for the one-time fall to this rate we spotted during the 2-day Prime event last week. Now, EcoFlow is bringing that low price back for the remaining days of its extended promotions, giving you a second-ever opportunity at $250 off its going rate ($450 off the MSRP) for the lowest price we have tracked. Head below for more on this and the other two units in this flash sale.
If you want to learn more about this or the other units benefitting from discounts, be sure to check out our original coverage of this 48-hour flash sale here.
Popping in on its official Amazon storefront, Aiper is offering its IrriSense Smart Sprinkler Irrigation System at $499.98 shipped. Since releasing in May with a $700 full price, discounts started by dropping the costs to $600, with things going further to this rate for the first time mid-August. After spending Prime Day last week down at this low, it’s sticking around for prolonged savings, cutting $200 from the going rate and keeping it down at the all-time lowest price we have tracked.
If you want to learn more about this smart irrigation system, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Best Fall EV deals!
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (camo) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $3,048 (Reg. $3,298)
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (sage or fig) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $2,948 (Reg. $3,298)
- Heybike Hero 750W Mid-Drive Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bike (return low): $2,299 (Reg. $3,099)
- Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $694 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,693)
- Heybike Hero 1,000W Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bike (new low): $1,899 (Reg. $2,599)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (gray or white) with DELTA 2 station: $1,898 (Reg. $2,198)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (mango or blue) with DELTA 2 station: $1,828 (Reg. $2,198)
- Rad Power RadRunner Plus Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,799 (No price cut)
- Lectric XP Trike2 750 Long-Range eTrike with $455 preorder bundle: $1,799 (Reg. $2,254)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike (lowest price): $1,699 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $545 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,244)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $415 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,114)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike with extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Ride1Up VORSA Modular Multi-Use e-bike: $1,595 (Reg. $1,695)
- Rad Power RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,499 (No pirce cut)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $247 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,746)
- Lectric XP Trike2 with $257 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,756)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,999)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $346 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,745)
- Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru Fat Tire e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,599)
- Heybike ALPHA All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,699)
- Hiboy TITAN Pro Electric Scooter (new model, code HSTP10): $1,350 (Reg. $2,000)
- Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $415 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,714)
- Lectric XP4 750 LR Folding Utility e-bikes with $394 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,693)
- Heybike Hauler Dual-Battery Cargo e-bike (new low): $1,299 (Reg. $1,899)
- Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with extra battery: $1,199 (Reg. $1,848)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $439 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,538)
- Hiboy TITAN Electric Scooter (new model, code HST9): $1,001 (Reg. $1,700)
- Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $79 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,078)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $439 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,438)
- Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike (new low): $899 (Reg. $1,499)
- Segway E3 Pro Electric Scooter: $600 (Reg. $700)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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