From Fortune Magazine:

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman aims to use a network of factories to manufacture semiconductors, hoping to raise billions from global investors for a chip venture. Conversations have been held with large potential investors like G42 and SoftBank Group. Fab construction would require funds of tens of billions of dollars. Altman says the industry needs to act now to ensure sufficient supply near the end of the decade. Altman has also sounded out Microsoft on the plan, and the software giant is interested. G42, the Abu Dhabi-based firm focusing on artificial intelligence, is the subject of calls for greater scrutiny and trade restrictions by the US government due to its relationships with blacklisted Chinese companies.

Additionally, Altman was temporarily ousted from his position as CEO of OpenAI but has since rekindled efforts to raise funds. OpenAI, G42, Intel, Microsoft, SoftBank, TSMC, and Samsung declined to comment on the collaboration. US lawmaker Mike Gallagher urged Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to consider sanctions on G42 and 13 of its subsidiaries and affiliates, due to their risk to US national security.



Read more: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman seeking billions for AI chips factories network