Technology
Friday, February 9th, 2024 4:28 pm EDT
Key Points
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is seeking trillions of dollars in investments to address the supply-and-demand problem with AI chips and overhaul the global semiconductor industry.
- Altman aims to increase global chip-building capacity to support OpenAI’s growth and meet the demand from various AI giants, potentially raising between $5 trillion and $7 trillion for the endeavor.
- The initiative follows controversies surrounding Altman’s previous chip endeavors, including investments in AI chip startups and a brief ouster as CEO of OpenAI, but reflects OpenAI’s belief in the need for more AI infrastructure to enhance economic competitiveness.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly seeking trillions of dollars in investments to address the global semiconductor industry’s limitations, particularly concerning AI chips. Facing a supply-and-demand imbalance in AI chip production, Altman aims to expand chip-building capacity worldwide to support OpenAI’s growth and meet the demand from various AI giants. He’s in talks with potential investors, including the government of the United Arab Emirates, for this ambitious project, which could require between $5 trillion and $7 trillion in funding, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal. Altman’s vision aligns with OpenAI’s belief that the world needs more AI infrastructure to enhance economic competitiveness. This news follows controversies surrounding Altman’s previous chip endeavors, including investments in AI chip startups like Rain Neuromorphics. Nvidia currently dominates the AI chip market, but Altman’s efforts suggest a desire to challenge this dominance and increase OpenAI’s influence in the AI industry. Despite some upheaval within OpenAI’s leadership, including Altman’s brief ouster and subsequent return, the company continues to pursue its goals, recently announcing a new board comprising prominent figures from the tech industry.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/09/openai-ceo-sam-altman-reportedly-seeking-trillions-of-dollars-for-ai-chip-project.html
