The problem with AI is it’s very resource hungry. Wunderkind Sam Altman is one step ahead, and is fundraising to build factories that will boost global chipmaking factories. If Bill Gates hadn’t used so many to make the Covid vaccine, maybe we wouldn’t have a problem.

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Sam Altman is fundraising for his next big thing

Sam Altman is working to raise billions of dollars from global investors to build a network of AI chip factories. The OpenAI CEO has had conversations with several large investors, including Softbank and Abu Dhabi-based G42.

The push reflects Altman’s concern that there won’t be enough chips for widespread deployment of AI as the technology develops. But it's expensive business. ​​Building a single fabrication plant – also known as a fab – can cost tens of billions of dollars. Creating a network of them would take years.

Altman’s decision to build his own chips marks a change of direction from industry peers. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft typically design their own custom silicon and outsource the manufacturing.

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