OpenAI's Sam Altman Aims for $7T to Tackle Global Chip Shortage

By: Isha Das

Tech pioneer, Sam Altman, aspires to amass between $5 to $7 trillion to amplify the manufacturing of microchips, thereby addressing the scarcity faced by AI and machine learning, noted reliable sources. The funding garnered would potentially fund the establishment of factories or existing chip-making enterprises, with OpenAI acting as a substantial customer.

The ambitious fundraising could largely pivot on debt resources and may take a few years to journey to completion. A largely unfamiliar list of investors is reported to be eyed for backing this project. Prospective partners include SoftBank, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), and Microsoft, though participation details remain uncertain. Interestingly, the UAE has been amidst the talks and is a potential investor.

However, this endeavor comes with its share of obstacles. It aims for a multi-trillion dollar goal which in itself is a herculean task and concerns have been raised about the involvement of the UAE due to previous instances of scrutiny around such ventures.

The initiative, though a tough ground to tread, could nonetheless answer the grim issue of chip shortages. Global chip sales have a worth of roughly $527 billion annually and forecasted to touch the $1 trillion mark by 2030 or before. Alongside, semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales contribute nearly $100 billion annually. OpenAI has been proactive regarding this issue and pondered manufacturing its chips in-house.