OpenAI Urges US to Address "Electron Gap" to Maintain AI Leadership
Executive Summary
In a new submission to the White House, OpenAI warns that a growing electricity shortage threatens America's leadership in artificial intelligence. The company frames electricity as a critical strategic asset and calls for an ambitious national project to dramatically increase energy generation to close the "electron gap" with China. OpenAI also details its own significant infrastructure investments, including its "Stargate" data center sites, to support the growth of the AI economy.
Key Takeaways
* The "Electron Gap": OpenAI identifies a critical energy shortfall compared to China, which added 429 gigawatts of power capacity in 2024, over eight times the 51 gigawatts added by the US.
* Call for National Action: The company urges the administration to partner with the private sector on a project to build 100 gigawatts of new energy capacity per year.
* Policy Recommendations: The submission advises the government to modernize regulations to unlock more energy, strengthen the US industrial base, and invest in AI-related workforce development.
* OpenAI's Infrastructure Investment: OpenAI is building "Stargate" compute sites in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin, representing a $400 billion investment for nearly 7 GW of capacity over three years. The company aims to meet its full $500 billion, 10 GW commitment by the end of 2025.
* Workforce Development: The company is addressing skilled labor shortages through its OpenAI Certifications program and Jobs Platform to train workers for infrastructure and technology roles.
Strategic Importance
This announcement positions OpenAI as a key national infrastructure partner, shifting the AI discourse from software and models to the foundational requirements of energy and physical build-out. It frames the global AI race with China as an industrial and energy competition, urging immediate US government policy action.