Bloomberg: OpenAI CEO Raises Funds to Build Fab!
More information: On January 21, Bloomberg reported that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is approaching new investors to raise billions of dollars to build a chip production network, according to several people familiar with the situation.
Director: Sam Altman.
According to people familiar with the situation, Sam Altman spoke privately with several potential large investors in an attempt to raise a lot of money for the chip factory. Their plan is to work with major chipmakers to create a global network of chipmakers. Previously, it was rumored that OpenAI would design and manufacture its own AI-specific chips.
Altman has repeatedly stated that the current production capacity of AI-specific chips can no longer meet the company's needs.
Sources familiar with the situation told Bloomberg last month that companies in talks with Altman include Abu Dhabi's G42 and Japan's Softbank Group.
*: NVIDIA GH200 processor (NVIDIA Corporation.
According to people familiar with the situation, Altman's move reflects the fact that as artificial intelligence becomes more widespread, there will not be enough chips for widespread use. At present, the production of some AI-related chips is expected to be lower than expected demand.
It could cost billions of dollars to build a chip factory at the technical level, and it could take years to implement such a network of devices. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, for example, are the largest investors in OpenAI, and they typically focus on designing custom chips and outsource production to chipmakers like TSMC.
*: Artificial intelligence server.
According to people familiar with the situation, Altman believes the chip industry must act now to ensure that there are enough chips by the end of 2020**. Since OpenAI released GPT Chat a year ago, there has been a strong interest in AI applications, both commercial and consumer.
Intel, TSMC, and Samsung Electronics are market leaders in chip production and are likely to be partners in OpenAI.
Altman worked on the chip project until he was temporarily fired last November. Upon his return, he rekindled his ambitions. According to two people familiar with the situation, Altman also discussed the project with Microsoft, which also expressed interest.