OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT chatbot, is embarking on an ambitious expansion of its artificial intelligence infrastructure project, with the United States as its primary target. Led by CEO Sam Altman, OpenAI is aiming to secure tens of billions of dollars in funding to bolster the development of advanced AI technologies.
The project involves assembling a global coalition of investors who will contribute to the costly physical infrastructure necessary for rapid advancements in AI. This ambitious plan has already attracted interest from several countries, including Canada, Korea, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, is also expected to participate in this initiative.
OpenAI executives have been actively engaging with potential investors, with Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, visiting Japan, and Chris Lehane, vice president of global policy crisis, holding discussions with Canadian investors. Altman himself has reportedly participated in talks with investors in the UAE and the US.
This expansion plan has caught the attention of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which is responsible for reviewing foreign investments for potential national security risks. OpenAI has proactively engaged with the US National Security Council regarding its proposed investments.
The move to expand OpenAI’s infrastructure project comes at a time when the company is reportedly seeking a multibillion-dollar funding round that could value it at over $100 billion. Several tech giants, including Apple and Nvidia, have shown interest in acquiring a stake in OpenAI, with Microsoft likely participating in the funding round.
The ambitious nature of OpenAI’s plans and the potential involvement of foreign investors could lead to scrutiny from CFIUS, highlighting the complex regulatory landscape surrounding the development and deployment of advanced AI technologies.
