According to sources cited by the media, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is working hard to secure approval from the US government for a large-scale investment plan to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) chip enterprise.
Previously, there were media reports that Altman was concerned that with the rapid development of AI, he may face a shortage of AI chips in the future, which could lead to insufficient chips to achieve General Artificial Intelligence (AGI). Therefore, Ultraman is seeking to raise huge funds to establish a new AI chip enterprise.
Insiders say that in the past few weeks, Ultraman has been meeting with potential investors and partners in the United States, the Middle East, and Asia, telling some that he cannot advance this plan without the approval of the US government.
TSMC, Samsung Electronics, and Intel are leading companies in the field of chip manufacturing, making them potential partners for Ultraman. It is reported that Ultraman has met with executives from TSMC and Samsung.
Sources have revealed that Altman believes that cooperation with the US government is necessary on issues such as approval, scheduling, and structure of joint ventures. He has met with US Secretary of Commerce Raymond and is working to arrange meetings with other officials.
The US Department of Commerce confirmed that it had discussed with OpenAI issues such as increasing global chip infrastructure and supply chains, but did not disclose specific details.
Ultraman's fundraising plan may trigger scrutiny by the U.S. Foreign Investment Commission and may also conflict with the Department of Commerce's control measures on chip exports from the Middle East.
It is reported that Ultraman is still considering whether to establish a new company independent of OpenAI and issue stocks, but this move may raise antitrust concerns, which is also part of the reason why the plan needs approval from the US government before it can proceed.
US law prohibits the same person from serving as a director or executive in two directly competing companies, and the Biden administration has increased scrutiny of these so-called chain directors.
It is currently unclear whether OpenAI will invest or establish a formal relationship with this new company, but if this new company only produces chips for OpenAI, it will face antitrust risks.
According to insiders, Ultraman's specific plan has not been determined, and he is monitoring market signals to decide whether to focus on low-end chip and software production in a smaller range, or to focus on large-scale improvements in chip manufacturing capabilities. This will determine how much funding Ultraman must raise.
It is reported that Ultraman has recently begun to consider whether the project should find ways to increase the green energy supply required for AI chip manufacturing, which will further increase the funds needed to be raised.