OpenAI calls for a "North American Artificial Intelligence Alliance" to compete with China

OpenAI, an American artificial intelligence startup, recently called on the United States and its allies to work together to establish a "North American Artificial Intelligence Alliance" to jointly support the development of the infrastructure needed for artificial intelligence systems to cope with competition from China.

OpenAI said on Wednesday that the United States and its neighbors could promote the development of artificial intelligence technology by forming a "North American Artificial Intelligence Alliance" to streamline access to talent, financing and supply chain resources. The company pointed out that the cooperation model is expected to expand to include more global networks of US allies and partners, including Middle Eastern countries.

The proposal was included in a new policy blueprint released by OpenAI at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The document is OpenAI’s most detailed public proposal yet on how the United States can maintain its lead in artificial intelligence and meet the technology’s massive energy demands.

OpenAI recommends that the United States should provide support for high-cost energy infrastructure projects by promising to purchase the power of the projects to ensure their implementation. The company also recommends setting up "AI economic zones" to speed up the approval process and promote the reactivation of nuclear reactors. In addition, OpenAI proposes to use the small nuclear reactor technology developed by the US Navy to expand nuclear energy production capacity to support the development of artificial intelligence.

OpenAI said: "Artificial intelligence provides an unmissable opportunity for the reindustrialization of the United States, which can drive broad economic growth and revive the American dream. At the same time, it is also a national security need to protect the United States and its allies from the rise of China, and to provide more choices for individuals and benefit a wider range of people by developing artificial intelligence with American values ​​at its core."

Previously, OpenAI management had worked to raise billions of dollars from investors in markets such as the Middle East to expand the supply of chips, energy and data centers needed to develop artificial intelligence. The company's CEO Sam Altman also met with US officials to win their support for the plan.

OpenAI’s latest proposal comes as the U.S. government is about to change. President-elect Donald Trump has acknowledged the need to expand U.S. energy capacity in order to remain competitive in the field of artificial intelligence, and has suggested relaxing licensing requirements to increase the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

At a policy briefing on Wednesday, OpenAI's vice president of global affairs, Chris Lehane, said the company had spent a lot of time discussing AI infrastructure needs with both the Biden administration and the Trump team.

“I’m an optimist,” Lehane said. “I think this will be one of the key issues in the next Congress and the new administration, and I think there will be a willingness to work together in this area because there is so much at stake.”