On Wednesday, OpenAI unveiled a new program designed to support countries outside the United States in developing their artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. Named OpenAI for Countries, this initiative is part of the broader Stargate Project, which was introduced in January. While the Stargate Project has primarily targeted AI infrastructure development within the US, OpenAI for Countries seeks to assist nations in enhancing their capacities. The organization is also looking to partner with various governments to involve them as stakeholders in the evolution of its AI technologies and models.
OpenAI’s Five-Step Plan to Support AI Infrastructure Development
According to a blog post from the San Francisco-based company, numerous representatives from various nations have approached OpenAI for guidance in developing AI infrastructure. The company describes this infrastructure as the essential “backbone of future economic growth and national development,” expressing its intent to assist countries in fostering “democratic AI.”
OpenAI articulated its democratic framework, stating that it aims to empower individuals to determine how they interact with and influence AI. The company also seeks to curtail the potential misuse of AI by governments to consolidate power and promote a competitive free market. “These principles will ensure a wider distribution of AI’s benefits, deter power concentration, and further our mission,” the organization remarked.
To implement OpenAI for Countries, the firm has outlined a comprehensive five-step plan to collaborate with foreign governments in building AI infrastructure. The initial step involves forming partnerships with interested countries to develop local data center capacity, which will be designed to safeguard national sovereignty. OpenAI asserts that these data centers will foster new local industries and facilitate customized AI solutions in a secure, compliant manner.
As part of the initiative, OpenAI also plans to provide tailored versions of ChatGPT to citizens, focusing on the distinct needs of each country, while ensuring the chatbots are natively localized in terms of language and culture. The third step in the plan involves working closely with governments to shape the future trajectory of OpenAI’s AI models.
OpenAI emphasized its commitment to ongoing investment in processes and security controls as its models gain strength, stating, “We will maintain investments in the data centers and physical security necessary for deploying, operating, and safeguarding these advancements.”
Furthermore, the company intends to establish and manage a national start-up fund in collaboration with governments, which will aim to nurture a thriving AI ecosystem in each country. OpenAI believes that this initiative will generate new employment opportunities, encourage new business ventures, and foster economic growth while meeting the demands of both public and private sectors.
In conclusion, OpenAI announced that partner countries will also contribute to the global expansion of the Stargate Project, promoting the growth of democratic AI. Initially, the company will embark on ten projects as part of the first phase of this new initiative.
