The landscape of technology in 2025 has shifted dramatically, with Larry Ellison, the co-founder and chairman of Oracle, emerging as a defining figure. Over the past year, Ellison has played a pivotal role in major business stories, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). His influence has overshadowed that of other tech titans, including Elon Musk, as he navigated a landscape rife with challenges and opportunities.
At the start of 2025, Ellison found himself at the forefront of an ambitious initiative announced on January 21, just after the inauguration of Donald Trump. Alongside notable figures such as Sam Altman of OpenAI and Masayoshi Son of SoftBank, Ellison unveiled a $500 billion plan to develop AI infrastructure. The announcement promised the creation of 100,000 jobs, though some skeptics viewed the projected investment as overly optimistic.
Oracle has since undertaken an extensive build-out of AI-optimized data centers, a project that has strained its cash flow, marking the first negative cash flow for the company since the early 1990s. Transitioning from his previous hesitation regarding cloud computing, Ellison is now firmly positioned in the AI sector. The partnership with OpenAI, which included a substantial deal valued at approximately $300 billion to rent computing resources, has positioned Oracle as a key player in the AI landscape.
In September, Oracle’s stock surged as the company revealed the scale of its collaboration with OpenAI. Ellison’s net worth experienced a staggering increase of $89 billion in just one day, bringing his total wealth to $388 billion. This surge briefly made him the richest person in the world, overtaking Musk.
Ellison’s financial success coincided with his son David Ellison’s ambitions in Hollywood. In August, David’s Skydance Media secured control of Paramount, largely funded by his father. Shortly thereafter, David pursued a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, leveraging his father’s support. Despite their efforts, Warner Bros. ultimately accepted a competing offer from Netflix Inc..
The pursuit of Warner Bros. turned contentious, with David making a hostile offer reminiscent of his father’s earlier tactics. In the face of rejection, Larry Ellison personally guaranteed $40.4 billion in financing to support his son’s aspirations, a significant financial commitment for any billionaire.
As the year progressed, Ellison’s fortunes began to fluctuate in tandem with Oracle’s stock performance. Increased skepticism among investors regarding AI spending, coupled with Oracle’s significant debt linked to its data center expansion, has raised concerns about the company’s future. Ellison currently ranks as the fifth-richest person globally, with a net worth just below $250 billion. While he possesses ample assets to meet the financing guarantee, the concentration of his wealth in Oracle stock complicates his liquidity.
Historically, Ellison has utilized his wealth for personal acquisitions, including luxury planes and real estate. Today, however, his fortune is intricately tied to the competitive AI sector and the uncertain future of a media company led by his son. As 2025 unfolds, Ellison remains a critical figure in the intersection of technology and media, navigating a landscape defined by volatility and ambition.
