On Wednesday, OpenAI unveiled a new initiative designed to assist nations outside the United States in developing their artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. Named OpenAI for Countries, this effort forms part of the broader Stargate Project, which was initially announced in January. While the Stargate Project emphasizes AI infrastructure development in the U.S., the new initiative aims to extend this support globally by enhancing capacity in various countries. OpenAI also seeks to involve governments in these nations as stakeholders in shaping the future of its AI technologies.
OpenAI’s Five-Step Plan to Help Countries Build AI Infrastructure
In a blog post, the San Francisco-based organization noted that numerous countries have approached OpenAI for assistance with AI infrastructure development. The company describes this infrastructure as the “backbone of future economic growth and national development,” and expresses its commitment to promoting “democratic AI” in these regions.
OpenAI elaborated on its democratic principles, emphasizing a desire for individuals to have agency in how they interact with and manage AI technologies. The firm also aims to prevent the misuse of AI by governments seeking to consolidate power and to encourage a competitive free market. “All these things contribute to a broad distribution of the benefits of AI, discourage the concentration of power, and help advance our mission,” the company stated.
Under the OpenAI for Countries initiative, a five-step plan has been devised to foster collaboration with foreign governments in establishing AI infrastructure. The first step involves forming partnerships with interested nations to enhance their local data center capabilities, ensuring these facilities protect national sovereignty. OpenAI claims that developing these data centers will cultivate new local industries and facilitate tailored AI solutions that comply with local regulations.
The initiative will also include the development of a customized version of ChatGPT for citizens, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of each country and fully localized in their respective languages and cultural contexts. The third step entails collaboration with governments on the strategic direction of OpenAI’s AI models in the future.
OpenAI remarked, “As our models become more powerful, we will continue to invest in the necessary processes and controls, including the data center and physical security required to deploy, operate, and protect them.”
Moreover, OpenAI plans to establish and manage a national start-up fund in partnership with governments. This fund is intended to nurture a robust AI ecosystem within each country, which, according to the company, will generate new jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and drive economic growth while addressing the demands of both public and private sectors.
Lastly, OpenAI indicated that participating countries would contribute to the expansion of the global Stargate Project, supporting the ongoing development of democratic AI. In its initial phase, the company aims to undertake ten projects under this initiative.
