OpenAI is urging the Biden administration to support its proposal for a vast expansion of data centers across the United States, requiring the same amount of energy as a major city. The company argues it is a necessary move to maintain U.S. leadership in the artificial intelligence arms race.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, along with other tech leaders, recently met with White House officials to present the plan. The proposal outlines data centers that would need 5 gigawatts of power, equivalent to the output of five nuclear reactors. In addition to technological advancements, the company highlights the potential for creating tens of thousands of new jobs and delivering a significant boost to the U.S. economy.
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However, there are potential hurdles. Power infrastructure projects in the U.S. are already facing significant delays, with long wait times, supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. OpenAI is requesting federal support to help overcome these challenges and meet the energy demands required by the new centers.
Microsoft, OpenAI’s primary backer, recently signed a deal to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant to power its operations for the next 30 years. The U.S. currently has 96 gigawatts of nuclear power installed, but meeting OpenAI’s energy needs will require a combination of new wind and solar farms, battery storage and connections to the national grid.
Experts express concerns about the feasibility of the plan, questioning whether the scale and speed of such a project are realistic. Still, OpenAI insists that the new data centers are vital for maintaining a national competitive edge in AI development.
