OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, is reportedly on a mission to secure trillions of dollars from global investors for an ambitious project.
The initiative aims to revolutionize the production of powerful semiconductors crucial for running advanced artificial intelligence (AI) programs, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Altman envisions transforming global chip manufacturing to accelerate the development of advanced AI.
The colossal undertaking is estimated to cost between $5 trillion to $7 trillion, making it one of the most substantial financial endeavors in the tech industry.
Altman has been actively engaging with potential investors worldwide, including discussions with the CEO of Softbank and investors from the United Arab Emirates.
Meetings have also taken place with key players in chip manufacturing, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), emphasizing the global scope of this initiative.
The motivation behind Altman’s fundraising efforts lies in addressing constraints to OpenAI’s growth. The hurdle is the scarcity of AI chips required to train large language models like the ones powering ChatGPT.
Altman’s vision is to expand chip manufacturing capacity on a global scale, potentially alleviating these constraints and propelling OpenAI’s capabilities forward.
Altman’s strategic approach involves seeking the support of various stakeholders, with Microsoft, the majority owner of OpenAI, reportedly endorsing his efforts.
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) projects a 13.1% surge in global chip sales to $595.3 billion in the current year.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Altman also had discussions with the U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo about the initiative.
In response to inquiries, an OpenAI spokesperson stated, “OpenAI has had productive discussions about increasing global infrastructure and supply chains for chips, energy, and data centers, which are crucial for AI and other industries.”
Altman’s pursuit of trillions in investments echoes his long-standing concerns about the supply-and-demand challenges surrounding AI chips.
The goal is to tackle this issue head-on and build extensive AI infrastructure, addressing not only the needs of OpenAI but also contributing to global economic competitiveness.
The news follows Altman’s previous endeavors in the chip industry, including a brief ouster as OpenAI’s CEO and previous attempts to secure funding for a chip venture code-named “Tigris.”
The success of this initiative could redefine the semiconductor market and establish OpenAI as a key player in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence.