Trump had phone call with OpenAI's Sam Altman last week about AI ...
Prior to officially becoming president, Donald Trump held a lengthy conversation with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to discuss the potential of artificial intelligence and the need to develop the technology in the U.S., CNBC has learned. During the chat, Trump expressed his enthusiasm about building AI in the U.S. rather than in China, highlighting the potential for job creation and boosting confidence in the country during his administration.
Trump's Focus on AI
Following his inauguration, President Trump wasted no time in emphasizing the importance of AI. He announced a collaborative effort with OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank to invest billions of dollars in AI infrastructure within the U.S. OpenAI's involvement is particularly noteworthy due to Altman's ongoing legal dispute with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a key advisor to Trump and a major financial supporter of his 2024 campaign.
Challenges and Responses
Shortly after the announcement of the joint venture project named Stargate, Musk publicly questioned the financial backing of the companies involved. Altman swiftly refuted Musk's claims, praising him as an inspirational entrepreneur but asserting the accuracy of their investment plans.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also weighed in, affirming his company's commitment to investing in AI-enabled data centers. Microsoft stands as OpenAI's primary financial backer, solidifying its support for the organization.
Legal Battles and Collaborations
Despite the strained relationship between Altman and Musk, Altman maintains connections with Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, a prominent Trump ally, which has bolstered his rapport with the president's team. Altman's partnership with Ellison resulted in a cloud-computing agreement between Oracle and OpenAI in June.
Additionally, Altman shares a close bond with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, who publicly pledged a significant investment in the U.S. prior to the Stargate initiative. SoftBank's support for OpenAI further underscores the collaborative efforts in advancing AI technology.
