Sam Altman is seeking funds for multiple AI chip factories

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly planning to raise billions of dollars for a chip venture that will involve establishing a network of semiconductor factories. According to Bloomberg News, Altman has engaged in discussions with several potential investors to secure the necessary funding for the fabrication plants, commonly known as fabs.

The project aims to collaborate with leading chip manufacturers and develop a global network of fabs. Manufacturing chips is an expensive process that requires substantial financial resources and natural resources.

The costs have been increasing as chip technology advances, especially for artificial intelligence applications. The report mentioned that Abu Dhabi-based G42 and Japan’s SoftBank Group, among others, have held discussions with Altman about the project. However, no official list of partners and funders has been confirmed yet. Possible partners mentioned in the report include Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), and Samsung Electronics.

Altman, who returned to OpenAI in November after a surprising ouster, has been actively working on the chips project and has approached Microsoft, which has expressed interest in the plan.