From Bloomberg: 2024-04-10 17:04:03

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is leading efforts to build a global coalition to increase chip, energy, and data center capacity for AI development. Altman recently met with investors and government officials in the UAE and is planning meetings in Washington to discuss collaboration with the private sector and countries to support AI infrastructure.

The goal is to address concerns about supply chain limitations as AI technology rapidly advances. Altman aims to raise billions for a chip venture to set up semiconductor factories. Discussions also involve other key resources like energy and data center capacity to support AI development globally.

Altman’s outreach is broader than previously known, engaging with officials worldwide to tackle infrastructure challenges. The focus extends to energy requirements for AI systems, emphasizing the need for advancements to support the technology. Altman has discussed potential energy breakthroughs, such as cheaper solar power or nuclear fusion, to power AI development.

During his UAE visit, Altman met with US Ambassador Martina Strong and is heading to Washington for discussions with US government officials on AI leadership and infrastructure access. Altman has expressed the importance of collaborative efforts with the US government for a multibillion-dollar chip venture and has engaged with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on this initiative.

Foreign investment discussions with the UAE raise scrutiny from US authorities, given concerns about Middle Eastern wealth funds’ ties to China. OpenAI’s potential partnership with Abu Dhabi AI firm G42 in the chip venture has garnered attention, highlighting the importance of foreign investment regulations and national security considerations in AI infrastructure development.



Read more at Bloomberg: OpenAI’s Altman Pitches Global AI Coalition on Trip to Middle East