OpenAI Chief Sam Altman In Discussions With Investors For Chips, AI Infra: Report

The sums under discussion by Altman are notably substantial even within the realm of corporate fundraising, the report highlighted, with investors currently valuing OpenAI at over $80 billion.

Proposed discussions involve forging partnerships among OpenAI, investors, chip manufacturers, and energy providers.

Source : Getty

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly engaging in discussions with potential investors, including the UAE, to secure funding for a groundbreaking technology venture aimed at bolstering global chip manufacturing capabilities and enhancing AI infrastructure, reported The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

According to sources familiar with the matter cited in the report, the initiative may necessitate a staggering $5 trillion to $7 trillion in investment. Neither OpenAI nor its primary investor, Microsoft, has issued an immediate response to requests for comment from Reuters.

Altman's fundraising endeavors are focused on addressing impediments to OpenAI's expansion, notably the shortage of AI chips crucial for training advanced language models like ChatGPT, sources told the WSJ. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) projects a robust 13.1 per cent increase in worldwide chip sales to $595.3 billion this year, contrasting with a previous year's decline of approximately 8 per cent.

The sums under discussion by Altman are notably substantial even within the realm of corporate fundraising, the report highlighted, with investors currently valuing OpenAI at over $80 billion. Proposed discussions involve forging partnerships among OpenAI, investors, chip manufacturers, and energy providers to finance the construction of chip foundries, which would subsequently be operated by chip makers. Much of the financing could potentially be sourced through debt, although discussions remain in preliminary stages.

OpenAI Working On Device Controllers?

Meanwhile, OpenAI is reportedly in the developmental phase of an innovative agent software designed to automate intricate tasks via device control, according to a source cited by The Information. This software aims to handle various web-based responsibilities, including data collection on companies, organising travel arrangements, and facilitating flight reservations.

These forthcoming assistants, often termed "agents," are poised to undertake more complex personal and professional duties upon human command, potentially diminishing the need for continuous oversight.

OpenAI garnered significant acclaim with the launch of its ChatGPT chatbot in late 2022, which garnered attention for its ability to generate content like sonnets and draft emails, showcasing the potential of generative AI.