OpenAI Strategy for US AI Leadership and Energy Infrastructure

OpenAI has called for an ambitious national project to build 100 gigawatts (GW) of new energy capacity per year to ensure the United States maintains its global lead in artificial intelligence. The company argues that electricity is a strategic asset critical to AI infrastructure, and that a failure to address the growing energy shortfall threatens the US economy and industrial base.

Economic Impact of AI Infrastructure Investment

Investment in AI infrastructure provides tangible economic returns. According to an internal OpenAI analysis, the first $1 trillion invested in AI infrastructure could generate more than 5 percent in additional GDP growth over a three-year period.

The "Electron Gap" and Global Competition

US leadership in AI is currently threatened by a significant disparity in electricity generation growth compared to the People's Republic of China. In 2024, China added 429 gigawatts of new power capacity, which accounted for over half of global electricity growth. In contrast, the US added only 51 gigawatts, approximately one-eighth of China's increase. OpenAI describes this disparity as an "electron gap" and urges the Trump Administration to partner with the private sector to close this gap.

OpenAI's Stargate Infrastructure Commitments

OpenAI is investing over $400 billion over the next three years to build Stargate sites in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin. These sites are projected to add nearly 7 GW of new compute capacity. This progress puts OpenAI on track to meet its full commitment of 10 GW and $500 billion by the end of 2025.

To mitigate the impact on local residents, OpenAI's Stargate designs ensure that sites either contribute energy back to the local system or reduce their draw from it to avoid increasing costs for consumers. In Wisconsin, the company is working with the local utility to increase energy capacity in ways that strengthen the grid for residents.

Workforce Development and Labor Constraints

Labor shortages in skilled trades are a growing constraint to AI leadership. OpenAI's analysis of US infrastructure plans indicates that the country will need an estimated 20 percent of its current skilled trades workforce over the next five years to support new data centers and energy infrastructure.

To address this, OpenAI has launched the OpenAI Certifications program and Jobs Platform to create pathways into high-wage technology roles and skilled trades with portable credentials.

Policy Recommendations for the White House

In a submission to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), OpenAI urged the administration to take the following actions:

  • Strengthen the American industrial base.
  • Modernize regulations to unlock more energy.
  • Equip American workers through AI education and workforce development programs.
  • Ensure frontier AI systems protect American national security through expanded federal government adoption.

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