OpenAI plans to develop proprietary AI chip

OpenAI is in talks with chip designers, including Broadcom, to develop a new artificial intelligence chip, according to a report by The Information on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The company is considering making its own AI chips to address the shortage of expensive GPUs, which are essential for developing AI models like ChatGPT, GPT-4, and DALL-E3.

To support this initiative, OpenAI is hiring former Google employees who worked on the tech giant’s tensor processing unit (TPU). The company has reportedly decided to develop an AI server chip, according to three individuals involved in the project.

A spokesperson for OpenAI told The Information, “OpenAI is having ongoing conversations with industry and government stakeholders about increasing access to the infrastructure needed to ensure AI’s benefits are widely accessible.”

Earlier this year, Bloomberg News reported that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman plans to raise billions of dollars to establish a network of semiconductor manufacturing factories. Potential partners for this venture include major chipmakers like Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., and Samsung Electronics.

By developing its own AI chips and collaborating with leading chip manufacturers, OpenAI aims to enhance the infrastructure necessary for the advancement and accessibility of AI technology.