Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge; Getty Images OpenAI just closed a historic funding round, taking in a $6.6 billion investment at a $157 billion valuation, to continue pursuing its mission to build artificial-general intelligence according to a company blog post. The funding round was led by Thrive Capital, which committed $1 billion, according to the Financial Times. It was also reported that Thrive got a special deal (not offered to other investors) that allows it to invest another $1 billion next year at the same valuation if the AI firm hits a revenue goal, Reuters reported. These funds are apparently contingent on OpenAI going through with a rumored restructure as a for-profit company. The company’s for-profit wing is currently overseen by a nonprofit research body, and... Continue reading…