OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is spearheading efforts to establish a global AI coalition among government and industry leaders, according to Bloomberg, citing sources.
The primary objectives of this technological alliance include increasing:
- chip supply;
- energy production;
- data center capacity.
According to one source, Altman met with investors and officials in the UAE to discuss private sector collaboration with countries to support costly and large-scale AI infrastructure. The OpenAI chief reportedly engaged with officials in several Western countries and plans to hold a meeting in Washington.
The top executive is working to attract billions of dollars from global investors to establish a network of semiconductor manufacturing plants, Bloomberg reports.
Sources suggest these meetings are Altman’s attempt to alleviate concerns that chip supplies and other key infrastructure components may not keep pace with the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence.
The executive’s engagement with officials worldwide represents a broader scope of activity than previously known. According to several individuals familiar with the discussions, the current negotiations by the CEO also extend beyond chip production to include other sectors such as energy and data center capacity.
One interlocutor noted that the ChatGPT developer views the need for vast amounts of energy to power AI systems as one of the most significant infrastructure challenges facing the tech industry.
The publication recalled that Altman previously spoke of the “need for an energy breakthrough to support incredibly resource-intensive technologies.” He suggested that cheaper solar energy or nuclear fusion could fuel AI development.
Elon Musk shares OpenAI’s CEO’s concerns about electricity shortages.
In March, reports emerged of Microsoft and OpenAI’s plans to create a data center costing at least $100 billion.