OpenAI has released an “economic plan” for AI development that emphasizes strategic investments, technology regulation, and collaboration with the US government to strengthen national leadership in artificial intelligence.
In the document, OpenAI emphasizes the need to attract multibillion-dollar investments in chip production, energy infrastructure development and training of specialists to ensure the US leads the global race in AI. The company calls for centralized regulation, as the current approach with 700 disparate state bills creates legal confusion. As OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted, “the US must lead AI” because the global balance of power depends on it.
Given the energy intensity of AI, OpenAI proposes expanding investments in “new energy sources” — solar, wind, and nuclear. Nuclear power, the company believes, is key to ensuring the energy consumption of next-generation data centers. In its plan, OpenAI also recommends that the US government strengthen cooperation with private companies in the field of national security, introduce export controls, and develop guidelines for the deployment of AI models to avoid their misuse.
OpenAI believes that international AI standards should be voluntary, avoiding over-regulation that could stifle innovation. However, the company insists on creating mechanisms for cooperation between the state and private companies to ensure transparency and security.
The issue of copyright remains a key one in OpenAI’s plan. The company believes that using “publicly available information,” including copyrighted data, is critical for training AI models. OpenAI has licensing agreements and opt-out mechanisms for authors, but emphasizes that without access to such data, full-fledged AI development will be impossible.
OpenAI has been actively working with the US government, including the Pentagon on cybersecurity, and has been lobbying for a federal AI regulator. However, the company has criticized bills it believes could stifle the industry, such as California's SB 1047, potentially leading to a loss of talent and investment.
OpenAI's “Economic Plan” not only outlines ambitious goals, but also demonstrates the company's willingness to actively engage with the government to ensure US leadership in AI, with a focus on safety, innovation, and global competitiveness.