OpenAI seeks US supply chain partners for major robotics and consumer devices expansion

OpenAI Seeks US-Based Suppliers for Planned Robotics, AI Device Push

OpenAI ultimately plans to devote trillions of dollars to data center expansions, which it sees as directly tied to its ability to boost revenue. OpenAI is looking to bolster its US hardware supply chain and find partners for a push into consumer devices, robotics and cloud data centers, part of a major product expansion planned for the coming years. The maker of ChatGPT has put out a request for proposals from companies that manufacture in the US and offer components such as silicon, motors, packaging material and gear for cooling data centers. The requests don't indicate how much OpenAI intends to spend or over what time frame. Shares of Symbotic Inc., which offers robotics and warehouse automation, gained as much as 5.2% to $71.55 on Thursday. Get the Tech Newsletter bundle. Get the Tech Newsletter bundle. Get the Tech Newsletter bundle. Bloomberg's subscriber-only tech newsletters, and full access to all the articles they feature. Bloomberg's subscriber-only tech newsletters, and full access to all the articles they feature. Bloomberg's subscriber-only tech newsletters, and full access to all the articles they feature. Bloomberg may send me offers and promotions. Plus Signed UpPlus Sign UpPlus Sign Up By submitting my information, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. OpenAI has said that it ultimately plans to devote trillions of dollars to data center expansions, which it sees as directly tied to its ability to boost revenue. It has also acquired the AI device startup co-founded by Apple Inc. veteran Jony Ive, a step toward entering the consumer device market. And a November deal with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., known as Foxconn, will let OpenAI design and manufacture hardware for data centers. That partnership is meant to ensure that server racks can be made in the US. OpenAI has also previously used such requests for proposals to solicit ideas and partners for its Stargate project -- an effort to build $500 billion in US data centers and AI infrastructure over the next few years. The move is meant to help spur manufacturing of components in the US, a key priority of the Trump administration. "AI is a catalyst for the reindustrializing of the country," Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, said in an interview. "We do have to bring back the supply chain here." OpenAI's interest in robotics partners suggests that it's moving more aggressively into that area. Lehane said the company believes the robotics industry will blossom more quickly than some expect. Though China has an advantage right now in terms of hardware, the US may have an edge in developing the AI brains of the machines, he said. The data center request asks for ideas on keeping AI chips from overheating -- a focus of startups and industrial companies. But the chips themselves also are evolving, which may mitigate the need for cooling equipment. Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said last week that his company's next chip generation may be able to be cooled without some of the traditional gear, hurting stocks of companies that make products like chillers.

OpenAI looks to U.S. partners as it eyes expansion

OpenAI is looking to bolster its U.S. hardware supply chain and find partners for a push into consumer devices, robotics and cloud data centers, part of a major product expansion planned for the coming years. The maker of ChatGPT has put out a request for proposals from companies that manufacture in the U.S. and offer components such as silicon, motors, packaging material and gear for cooling data centers. The requests don't indicate how much OpenAI intends to spend or over what time frame. OpenAI has said it ultimately plans to devote trillions of dollars to data center expansions, which it sees as directly tied to its ability to boost revenue. It has also acquired the AI device startup co-founded by Apple veteran Jony Ive, a step toward entering the consumer device market. And a November deal with Hon Hai Precision Industry, known as Foxconn, will let OpenAI design and manufacture hardware for data centers. That partnership is meant to ensure that server racks can be made in the U.S. OpenAI has also previously used such requests for proposals to solicit ideas and partners for its Stargate project -- an effort to build $500 billion in U.S. data centers and AI infrastructure over the next few years. The move is meant to help spur manufacturing of components in the U.S., a key priority of the Trump administration. "AI is a catalyst for the reindustrializing of the country," Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, said in an interview. "We do have to bring back the supply chain here." OpenAI's interest in robotics partners suggests it's moving more aggressively into that area. Lehane said the company believes the robotics industry will blossom more quickly than some expect. Though China has an advantage right now in terms of hardware, the U.S. may have an edge in developing the AI brains of the machines, he said. The data center request asks for ideas on keeping AI chips from overheating -- a focus of startups and industrial companies. But the chips themselves are also evolving, which may mitigate the need for cooling equipment. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said last week that his company's next chip generation may be able to be cooled without some of the traditional gear, hurting stocks of companies that make products like chillers.

OpenAI Prepares to Add Data Centers, Robotics and Consumer Devices | PYMNTS.com

By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. The artificial intelligence (AI) startup has put out a request for proposals from companies that manufacturer in the United States and offer components related to data centers, robotics and consumer devices, Bloomberg reported Thursday (Jan. 15). "AI is a catalyst for the reindustrializing of the country," OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane said in the release. "We do have to bring back the supply chain here." OpenAI said Wednesday (Jan. 14) that it will integrate 750 megawatts of ultra-low latency compute from chipmaker Cerebras to accelerate the response time of its AI models. Cerebras said the rollout of the compute will add up to the world's largest deployment of high-speed AI inference. It was reported Jan. 1 that OpenAI is improving its audio AI models because it expects users of future personal AI devices to communicate with them through voice commands rather than via a screen. The AI startup plans to release the new audio model during the first quarter, its first personal AI device in about a year, and several personal AI devices, including glasses and a smart speaker, over time, The Information reported. In November 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple designer Jony Ive said the company's first device would be ready in less than two years. Ive, who led the design team for the iMac, iPhone and iPad, and is now working on a device with OpenAI, said the design centers on creating something people can use without hesitation. Altman added that the device aims to reduce the number of steps required to interact with AI. When it comes to AI infrastructure, Altman said in October 2025 that OpenAI would like to build an AI factory to make 1 gigawatt of compute per week of new capacity. At the time, the company had committed to about 30 gigawatts of compute with a total cost of ownership of about $1.4 trillion. Altman said OpenAI was comfortable with that "given what we see on the horizon for model capability growth and revenue growth."

OpenAI seeks US hardware partners for expansion into devices and data centers By Investing.com

Investing.com -- OpenAI is searching for US-based manufacturing partners as it prepares for a major expansion into consumer devices, robotics, and cloud data centers in the coming years, according to a report Thursday from Bloomberg News. The ChatGPT maker has issued requests for proposals from companies that manufacture components in the United States, including silicon, motors, packaging materials, and data center cooling equipment. The company has not specified how much it plans to invest or the timeline for these initiatives. OpenAI has previously stated its intention to allocate trillions of dollars toward data center expansions, which it considers essential to increasing revenue. The company also recently acquired an AI device startup co-founded by former Apple Inc. executive Jony Ive, marking a step toward entering the consumer device market. In November, OpenAI formed a partnership with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., known as Foxconn, to design and manufacture hardware for data centers. This collaboration aims to ensure server racks can be produced within the United States.