OpenAI is expected to build a data center in India that will use more than one gigawatt of power.
The ChatGPT developer is searching for local companies with which it can partner on the project, Bloomberg reported today. OpenAI will need the help of utilities and construction firms to launch the data center. Additionally, it may seek to ink go-to-market partnerships that could broaden ChatGPT adoption.
One gigawatt is enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes. Nvidia Corp.'s DGX GB200 appliance, which contains 72 of its Blackwell B200 graphics processing units, uses about 120 kilowatts. That means OpenAI's data center in India will be capable of hosting at least 59,000 B200 chips.
It's possible OpenAI will opt for Nvidia's newer Blackwell Ultra chip, which recently started shipping to customers. The Blackwell Ultra is faster than the B200 and may consequently use more power.
GPUs account for only a fraction of the chips in an AI data center. Besides B200 accelerators, each DGX GB200 appliance includes 36 central processing units and nine switches powered by custom silicon. The DGX GB300, an upgraded version of the appliance based on the Blackwell Ultra, has a similar configuration.
It's unclear whether the facility OpenAI will reportedly build in India is part of its OpenAI for Countries initiative. The program, which launched earlier this year, will see the AI provider build data centers around the world to support international users. OpenAI has so far inked deals to build infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates and Norway.
The OpenAI for Countries program also extends beyond data centers. Notably, the language model provider is offering to help participating governments launch localized versions of ChatGPT and foster local AI startups. OpenAI has indicated that it may invest in some of those startups.
In February, OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman reportedly met with Indian officials to discuss the development of "a low-cost AI ecosystem". More recently, the company launched a new ChatGPT plan that is only available in India. ChatGPT Go, as the subscription is called, costs about $4.5 per month and allows users to send ten times more prompts to ChatGPT than the free tier.
According to Reuters, Altman will visit India next month. OpenAI recently announced plans to open an office in New Delhi by the end of the year. Additionally, it intends to distribute about half a million ChatGPT licenses to local educators and students.
Establishing a data center in India would enable OpenAI to provide lower latency for local users. Additionally, the facility may put it in a better position to compete for enterprise customers. Some organizations must store data locally to comply with cybersecurity and privacy regulations.
The report of OpenAI's infrastructure push in India comes weeks after it partnered with Oracle Corp. to build 4.5 gigawatts of stateside data center capacity. Within the next four years, the ChatGPT developer plans to commission at least 5.5 gigawatts of additional capacity in the U.S. The initiative is expected to cost $500 billion.