OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently elaborated on the mega AI data center project named Stargate during an exclusive interview with Bloomberg, discussing supply chain challenges, funding usage, and future layout. OpenAI is working on the Stargate project, which is unprecedented in scale. This super AI data center is expected to be located in Abilene, Texas, USA, and will be one of the most advanced AI computing bases in the world.
Microsoft is behind Stargate, but the resources OpenAI is seeking do not all come from Microsoft. External resources needed include energy agreements, supply chains, chips, and infrastructure deployment. The name Stargate is derived from the classic sci-fi series 'Stargate' from the 1990s, suggesting that this is a wormhole to the unknown world of humanity. The following are key points from the interview.
The origin of the name Stargate and future deployment.
Sam Altman recalled the birth of Stargate, which originated after the launch of ChatGPT when market demand surged. He stated that OpenAI underestimated the demand for people wanting to use these models, far exceeding what they imagined, prompting Altman to embark on global travels to accelerate deep communication with the supply chain, government agencies, and partners.
The data center is named Stargate. Altman revealed that it was originally an internal code name, later adopted because one of the data center deployment diagrams resembled the wormhole device from the 'Stargate' series. He described it as a 'technology portal' opening up the future, representing humanity entering a new era of AI computing power.
Regarding the scale of funding that has attracted public attention, Altman admitted that approximately $500 billion will be needed in the coming years for chip manufacturing and data center design. He stated that the supply chain will be a challenge in the future.
Trump in Altman's eyes: A key figure in AI infrastructure and technological decision-making.
When Bloomberg reporter Emily Chang asked about the interaction between the Stargate project and the U.S. government, Altman talked about Trump's interest in and influence on AI infrastructure. He pointed out that Trump is very concerned about AI infrastructure, which is a top priority in his administration. Altman believes he made the most important decision in the world at this point, influencing the future of artificial intelligence.
Altman stated that Trump quickly understood the changes in the entire AI industry and made wise decisions immediately, leaving a deep impression on him.
The future of AI and human anxiety.
The development of AI is advancing rapidly. Altman acknowledged that many people may panic about being replaced by AI in their jobs, leading to significant social anxiety. He stated that AI will replace certain jobs but will also create new types of professions. Historically, every technological change has occurred this way, but this time it is happening particularly quickly, and the world is not prepared. He indicated that OpenAI will continue to face potential impacts and strive to guide technological progress positively.
When asked about OpenAI's vision, Altman said the goal is to provide tools for the public to accomplish what they originally wanted to do, whether it's creating, inventing, or solving problems. He looks forward to AI discovering new unknown fields in applied sciences.
In this article, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discusses the development of Stargate, Trump, and future plans, which first appeared in Chain News ABMedia.