According to insiders, Sam Altman, the father of ChatGPT and CEO of OpenAI, plans to convene global investors to support the development of artificial intelligence by building infrastructure.
At present, this plan is becoming increasingly clear, with a focus on launching in various states in the United States, and is expected to cost billions of dollars.
Altman seeks AI infrastructure plan
According to foreign media reports this year, as early as the beginning of this year, Altman had been seeking support from the US government for the project. The project aims to form a global investor alliance to provide funding for the expensive infrastructure needed to support the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
Now, Altman and his team are studying some previously unreported details, including plans targeting various states in the United States first.
The insider revealed that the types of projects being discussed include building data centers, increasing energy capacity and transmission through turbines and generators, and expanding semiconductor manufacturing.
They stated that supporters of the project may include investors from Canada, South Korea, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.
OpenAI also hopes that other private companies can participate in this project. Microsoft, the largest investor in ChatGPT, may be one of the potential partners. Regarding this news, Microsoft stated that it is aware of and involved in all of the company's infrastructure related efforts.
OpenAI executives mobilize collectively
According to insiders, OpenAI executives, including Altman, have been meeting with investors in recent weeks to push forward with the deal.
It has been revealed that OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon has recently traveled to Japan and South Korea to discuss the plan with investors. OpenAI's Vice President of Global Policy, Chris Lehane, spoke with investors in Canada. Insiders said that after earlier talks, Altman also had further talks with investors from the United Arab Emirates. He also had conversations with American investors.
At the same time, OpenAI is about to receive a new round of funding worth billions of dollars, driving the company's valuation to exceed $100 billion. This transaction is expected to be led by Thrive Capital, with participation from Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia.
When asked about their plans to promote infrastructure construction, a spokesperson for OpenAI stated that they believe building more infrastructure in the United States is crucial for further advancing artificial intelligence and benefiting it widely. They added, "We are considering this goal and look forward to sharing more details later
Or may it raise national security concerns in the United States?
Altman previously stated that the United States urgently needs infrastructure to support artificial intelligence. Altman expressed concern about the current state of AI infrastructure in the United States, which is crucial for maintaining the country's technological leadership.
In a column in The Washington Post, he wrote, "American policymakers must collaborate with the private sector to build massive physical infrastructure - from data centers to power plants - to enable artificial intelligence systems to operate
A person familiar with Altman's ideas said that besides OpenAI, other companies will also benefit from these infrastructure projects, while countries allied with the United States will also benefit. Supporters of this effort believe that the additional benefits of these projects are job creation and supplementing the "Chip and Science Act" introduced by the Biden administration.
But OpenAI's global ambitions may raise concerns among the US national security agencies. According to insiders, OpenAI has held meetings with the US National Security Council in recent months regarding planned investments.
According to a source familiar with the matter, during the meeting, Altman and other executives from OpenAI emphasized that the global infrastructure plan will establish a transnational alliance that will help enhance the United States' geopolitical advantage.