OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly in early discussions with G42 in Abu Dhabi and Japan's SoftBank Group to secure funding for a global chip venture. The plan involves establishing a series of semiconductor manufacturing facilities worldwide. Potential collaborators include Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, and Samsung Electronics. The discussions with G42 have been focused on raising $8 billion to $10 billion since October, but the current status is unclear. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also announced plans to invest in specialized computer chips for new generative AI models and products. Altman, who recently returned to OpenAI, has resumed his efforts on the chip project and has discussed the plan with Microsoft.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman aims to utilize the funds raised for a chip venture to establish a series of semiconductor manufacturing facilities, sources familiar with the plans reported on Jan 19. As per the Bloomberg report , Altman engaged in discussions with various significant potential investors to secure the substantial funds required for the establishment of chip fabrication plants, commonly referred to as fabs. The initiative would entail collaboration with leading chip producers, and the network of fabrication plants would have a worldwide reach. G42 in Abu Dhabi and Japan’s SoftBank Group are in early discussions with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. According to the report, a comprehensive list of partners and funders has yet to be finalized. Since October, OpenAI’s discussions with its partner, G42, have primarily been aimed at raising $8 billion to $10 billion. However, the current status of these discussions is uncertain. The report listed Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, and Samsung Electronics as potential collaborators for OpenAI. Related: OpenAI and Arizona State University partner for ChatGPT implementation OpenAI is not the only artificial intelligence firm looking into investing in chips. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Thursday, Jan.18, that the firm plans to invest significantly in specialized computer chips to build and deliver new generative AI models and products. Zuckerberg explained that Meta will increase its technology infrastructure. Meta plans to have about 350,000 H100 graphics processing units(GPUs) from chip designer Nvidia by the end of the year. Altman, who rejoined OpenAI in November after a surprising ouster , resumed efforts on the chips project upon his return, as per the Bloomberg report. He has also discussed the plan with Microsoft, which has shown interest. Aside from the CEO’s interest in semiconductor chips, Altman believes that the future of artificial intelligence could depend on an ambitious yet uncertain form of energy that doesn’t quite exist today. Magazine: Scam AI ‘kidnappings’, $20K robot chef, Ackman’s AI plagiarism war: AI Eye s 

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in Talks with G42, SoftBank for Global Chip Venture Funding