OpenAI: "To Outpace China in AI Competition, Regulations on External Investment Are Needed"

OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, stated on the 13th (local time) that regulations for external investment and support are necessary to stay ahead in the artificial intelligence (AI) competition with China.

Yonhap News

In a 15-page proposal titled "Economic Blueprint" released that day, OpenAI emphasized, "Chips, data, and energy are the keys to AI victory," and urged, "We must act now to establish rules that can be uniformly applied across all states to secure the United States' competitive advantage."

OpenAI expressed concern, saying, "There is approximately $175 billion (257 trillion won) waiting to be invested in AI projects through global funds," and warned, "If the U.S. fails to attract these funds, they will flow into China-backed projects, thereby strengthening China's global influence."

They also proposed export controls on AI models. The explanation was that while blocking access from hostile countries with a high risk of technology misuse, advanced AI models should be provided to allies and partners to help build an AI ecosystem based on U.S. technology rather than Chinese technology.

Furthermore, they explained that AI's ability to learn from publicly available information should be guaranteed while protecting creators from unauthorized digital replication, and that the construction of new data centers across the U.S. should be simplified and expanded.

OpenAI is reportedly planning to hold an event in Washington D.C. at the end of this month to discuss these proposals. Bloomberg News reported that OpenAI is likely to appeal these proposals to the second Trump administration, which will launch on the 20th. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, like other big tech executives, is attempting to improve relations by donating about $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund.

Meanwhile, CEO Altman is currently engaged in a legal dispute with Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and a close aide to President-elect Trump, over OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit company. In a recent interview, he said he does not believe Musk, who is the co-chair of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the second Trump administration, will abuse his political power to harass business competitors.