In a bid to reshape the global AI chip industry, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly in discussions with investors to raise between $5 trillion to $7 trillion. The proposed fundraising sum is indicative of the substantial capital required to establish new semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Altman is said to be proposing a partnership between OpenAI, investors, chip makers, and power providers to collectively finance the construction of chip foundries, which will be operated by existing chip makers. The move is intended to significantly enhance the global capacity for semiconductor manufacturing, thereby meeting the increasing demand for GPUs and other AI-specific chips. Reflecting this, the Biden administration has been making efforts to bolster domestic chip manufacturing through subsidies and regulatory scrutiny of foreign investments in critical technologies.

Source: Wall Street Journal February 17, 2024 12:01 UTC