OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is seeking to raise trillions of dollars from investors worldwide for a massive project aimed at boosting the production of semiconductors needed for advanced AI programs like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The project could cost between $5 trillion to $7 trillion. Altman has reportedly met with investors from the United Arab Emirates and the CEO of Softbank, as well as chipmakers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), to discuss funding. The goal is to address the scarcity of AI chips that hinder OpenAI’s growth. The Semiconductor Industry Association predicts a 13.1% increase in global chip sales this year. Microsoft, the majority owner of OpenAI, supports Altman’s efforts. Altman also met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to discuss the initiative. OpenAI has had productive discussions about increasing global infrastructure for chips, energy, and data centers, and will keep the U.S. government informed.
