 "Sam Altman is trying to consolidate all the infrastructure needed to work with AI models under one big roof. Image Credit: Reuters")
CEO of OpenAI and the poster child of artificial intelligence for the general public, Sam Altman has high hopes to turn into the patron of all AI bosses, of sorts.
Altman has been actively working to establish a global coalition among government and industry leaders to bolster the supply of chips, energy, and data centre capacity that is crucial for the development of AI, as reported by Bloomberg.
The report quotes sources who are familiar with discussions between Altman and investors and government officials in various countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Middle East. Altman is exploring partnership opportunities in supporting large-scale infrastructure for AI.
Altman has also been exploring securing significant investments from global investors for a chip venture aimed at establishing a network of semiconductor factories.
However, these efforts go beyond his own chip production company that he is working on and also involve other critical resources namely energy and data centre capacity.
Altman’s recent meetings, which have not been previously reported, showcase that he is committed to setting up a coalition that will address concerns regarding the availability of essential infrastructure to sustain the rapid advancement of AI.
On several occasions, Altman has acknowledged that he is actively discussing his plans with investors to establish a global infrastructure and supply chain network for chips, energy, and data centres. However, specifics regarding the nature of these efforts have not yet been disclosed.
The massive energy requirements of AI systems is a major infrastructure challenge. Seeing this Altman has been very vocal about making breakthroughs in energy technology, or in AI chips that are super efficient to run He has also been speaking of the potential of cheaper solar power or nuclear fusion to power AI advancements.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDuring his visit to the UAE, Altman met with Martina Strong, the US ambassador to the country, and is scheduled to travel to Washington for meetings with policymakers and members of the US national security and intelligence communities.
These discussions are part of ongoing efforts to explore how the US and its allies can maintain leadership in AI and ensure access to essential AI infrastructure.
Altman has emphasized the importance of collaborative engagement with the US government regarding the timing and structure of a multibillion-dollar chip venture. He has previously met with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo as part of this initiative.
However, Altman’s pursuit of foreign investment, particularly from entities in the UAE, may invite some intense scrutiny from regulatory bodies, especially considering how the Middle East has been getting close to China.
(With inputs from China)