On January 20, 2017, during President Trump’s inauguration, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, was positioned in the overflow room while other tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, occupied prime spots. Just days before, Altman had a significant phone call with Trump, discussing a major artificial intelligence initiative that aimed to position OpenAI at the forefront of the new administration’s technology agenda.
- Sam Altman was in the overflow room.
- Altman prepared a significant AI announcement.
- OpenAI aimed for artificial general intelligence.
- $100 billion deal for AI infrastructure announced.
- Stargate project credited to Trump's administration.
- Altman publicly thanked Trump for support.
In the lead-up to Trump’s presidency, Altman sought to secure a pivotal role for OpenAI in the administration’s plans for artificial intelligence. During a 25-minute call, he informed Trump that the tech industry would likely achieve artificial general intelligence within the Trump administration. To facilitate this, a coalition comprising OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank had arranged a $100 billion deal to establish data centers nationwide.
The day after the inauguration, Altman was present as Trump announced the Stargate initiative in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Trump described it as the largest AI infrastructure project in history. Although Stargate had been in development for months, the timing of the announcement was strategic, allowing Trump to claim credit early in his tenure.
- Stargate is a $100 billion AI infrastructure project.
- The initiative involves collaboration among OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank.
- Altman emphasized the urgency of achieving artificial general intelligence during Trump’s term.
Altman’s presence at the announcement underscored his efforts to align OpenAI with the administration’s goals. By publicly thanking Trump for his support, Altman aimed to solidify OpenAI’s position in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and technology policy.
This initiative marks a significant collaboration between major tech companies and the U.S. government, highlighting the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in national policy and economic strategy.
