OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, has made a bold move, pitching the Biden administration on a massive expansion of data centers across the US. This ambitious plan, outlined in a document obtained by Bloomberg, aims to address the rising energy demands of AI and position the US as a global leader in the field.
OpenAI argues that building five gigawatt data centers in various states would bolster economic growth, create new jobs, and enhance national security. The company highlights the growing competition from China and emphasizes the need for advanced AI models to maintain US dominance.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly in talks to build five to seven data centers, each capable of generating five gigawatts of power, equivalent to the output of five nuclear reactors. This immense capacity would be enough to power nearly three million homes.
However, this expansion comes with significant energy implications. AI models, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, require substantial electricity. According to Arm Holdings CEO Rene Haas, AI data centers could consume 20% to 25% of US power needs by 2030, a dramatic increase from the current 4% or less.
The growing energy demand has prompted debate among tech leaders. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates defended the increased consumption, arguing that the benefits of AI would ultimately outweigh the energy cost. In contrast, former President Donald Trump, in a recent conversation with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, expressed surprise at AI’s high energy requirements.
OpenAI is actively seeking solutions to address the energy challenge. Earlier this year, CEO Sam Altman invested $20 million in Exowatt, an energy startup focused on addressing the soaring electricity needs of AI data centers. Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, recently signed a 20-year deal with Constellation Energy to supply carbon-free energy to power their operations, including the restarting of Three Mile Island Unit 1.
The proposed data center expansion highlights the complex relationship between AI development and energy consumption. OpenAI’s ambitious plans represent a significant investment in the future of AI, but raise questions about the sustainability of this rapidly growing field.
