Ellison’s Oracle Surges Amid AI Deals and Media Moves

• Oracle’s cloud strategy and AI partnerships push Larry Ellison’s fortune near $400B, while Paramount eyes a major Hollywood acquisition.

Oracle’s Cloud Momentum Repositions Ellison

Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, has returned to the spotlight following a series of cloud computing deals that significantly boosted the company’s market value. Oracle’s stock surged nearly 36%, elevating Ellison’s personal fortune to approximately $371.7 billion, placing him second globally behind Elon Musk. This resurgence comes 48 years after Oracle’s founding and marks a notable shift in the company’s trajectory. Ellison’s renewed prominence is drawing comparisons to past media portrayals, with headlines echoing those from decades ago.

The company’s recent success stems from its strategic alignment with artificial intelligence infrastructure, particularly through partnerships with OpenAI. Oracle is reportedly set to provide $300 billion worth of computing resources to OpenAI over five years, a deal that underscores its growing role in the AI ecosystem. Rather than developing proprietary chips, Oracle opted to rely on Nvidia’s processors, a move that analysts say improved its access to critical hardware. This decision, led by Ellison himself, has helped Oracle secure marquee clients such as Meta and xAI.

Paramount’s Bid Signals Cultural Ambitions

Beyond technology, Ellison’s influence is expanding into media through his family’s control of Paramount. Reports suggest the conglomerate is preparing a bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, a move that could reshape the entertainment industry. At CBS News, David Ellison appears to be steering editorial direction, appointing Kenneth Weinstein as ombudsman and reportedly considering Bari Weiss for a leadership role. These developments hint at a broader cultural strategy that may align with Ellison’s political leanings.

Oracle’s involvement with TikTok also reflects its growing footprint in consumer technology. In 2022, the company began hosting U.S. user data for the platform, addressing national security concerns tied to its Chinese ownership. The transition was technically smooth, with minimal disruption to users, and analysts viewed it as a significant achievement. Ellison’s ability to navigate both enterprise and consumer sectors demonstrates his versatility in adapting to evolving markets.

AI Growth Brings Opportunity and Risk

Oracle’s transformation into a major AI infrastructure provider has brought substantial revenue gains, with bookings reportedly exceeding $455 billion. The company’s decision to outsource data center operations and rely on external partners introduces operational risks, however. Gartner analyst Chirag Dekate noted that Oracle’s dependence on a small number of clients, including OpenAI, could pose financial challenges if any falter. The sustainability of these partnerships remains uncertain as the AI industry continues to search for viable business models.

Ellison’s approach to risk is well documented, both in business and personal pursuits. His history of extreme sports injuries parallels Oracle’s aggressive expansion into AI, where the stakes are high and the outcomes unpredictable. The Stargate project, a half-trillion-dollar initiative with OpenAI, exemplifies this bold strategy. While the company has recovered from earlier cloud missteps, its future hinges on the reliability of its partners and the scalability of its infrastructure.