OpenAI is calling on the US and its allies to work together to develop artificial intelligence systems and support the infrastructure needed to compete with China.
AI startups said on Wednesday that the US and neighboring countries should create a “North American Compact for AI” that could streamline access to talent, financing and supply chains to build the technology. The company said the collaboration could later expand to “the global network of US allies and partners”, including countries in the Middle East.
The proposal was included in OpenAI’s new policy blueprint at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The document offers OpenAI’s most detailed public suggestions to date for how the US can maintain its lead in artificial intelligence and meet the technology’s significant energy demands.
OpenAI said the US should stop costly energy infrastructure projects by committing to buying power from them. The company recommended the US establish an “AI economic zone”, which would speed up the permitting process and help bring nuclear reactors back online. It also proposed expanding nuclear power capacity by using the US Navy, which has built compact reactors to power submarines.
OpenAI said, “AI presents a unique opportunity to re-industrialize America and thereby generate broad-based economic growth that will revitalize the American dream.” “It also presents a national security imperative to defend our country and our allies against a rising China by offering AI based on democratic values, promoting individual choice, and benefiting as many people as possible.”
OpenAI’s leadership previously sought to raise billions of funding from investors in the Middle East and other markets to expand the supply of chips, energy and data centers needed to develop AI. Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has also met with US officials to get them on board with the plan.
The latest proposal comes as the US government is preparing for a change in administration. President-elect Donald Trump has acknowledged the need to expand U.S. energy capacity to remain competitive in AI and has suggested using fossil fuels and nuclear energy along with relaxing permitting requirements.
At the policy event on Wednesday, Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s vice president of global affairs, said the startup has spent “a lot of time” with both the Biden administration and Trump’s team to discuss AI infrastructure needs.
“I’m an optimist,” Lehane said. “I think this will be one of the topic areas in the next Congress and the next administration that people will want to work on because the stakes are so high.”
