OpenAI's Altman Aims to Build US's Best AI Infrastructure with Trump

Dec 1, 2024 at 5:13 PM
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman engages in a significant discussion with Shannon Bream, delving into the multifaceted aspects of artificial intelligence. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a lead in the A.I. industry against China and the need for substantial infrastructure development.

Unraveling the AI-Trump Nexus

Positives and Potential Negatives of AI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sits down with Shannon Bream to explore the intricate landscape of artificial intelligence. He highlights how AI, while bringing remarkable advancements like aiding medical diagnoses and tutoring, also poses challenges. Altman acknowledges that while many jobs will be enhanced and made more productive, some will face deterioration and even disappear entirely. This dual nature of AI showcases the complexity of the technological frontier. It's not just about the benefits but also the potential disruptions it can cause. For instance, bad actors could potentially use AI models to breach systems, and U.S. adversaries might exploit powerful AI to create national security issues. Altman firmly believes that despite these challenges, staying in the lead is crucial.

Importance of Leading in the A.I. Industry

AI, according to Altman, differs from other software as it demands massive amounts of infrastructure, including power, computer chips, and data centers. Building this infrastructure here in the U.S. is essential to ensure the country can lead with technological capabilities. He expresses confidence that President-elect Trump will be adept at this, stating, "I believe President-elect Trump will be very good at that. [I] look forward to working with [the Trump] administration on it." This sentiment reflects the significance Altman places on the U.S. taking the lead in AI development and infrastructure. It's a matter of national competitiveness and technological dominance. By leading in the A.I. industry, the U.S. can shape the future and drive innovation.

Tech Leaders' Willingness to Work with Trump

Altman isn't alone in expressing a willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg visited Mar-a-Lago last week for a meeting, as confirmed by Trump adviser Stephen Miller. Many other tech titans, such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Palantir Technologies co-founder Joe Lonsdale, venture capitalist David Sacks, Andreessen Horowitz founders Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen, and cryptocurrency exchange Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, also supported Trump before his election win. This collective willingness to work together indicates the potential for significant progress in the technological realm under the Trump administration. It shows that the tech industry recognizes the importance of working with the government to shape the future of AI and other emerging technologies.