OpenAI Urges Expansion of Chips Act Tax Credit to Cover AI Data Centers

OpenAI’s Formal Request to the White House

In a letter addressed to Michael Kratsios, the White House’s director of science and technology policy, OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, outlined a specific policy change the company believes will accelerate U.S. AI infrastructure development. The request centers on expanding the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC)—a 35% tax credit embedded in the Chips Act—so that it also covers electrical‑grid components, AI servers, and AI data‑center construction, not just semiconductor fabs.

Lehane argued that broadening AMIC coverage would lower the effective cost of capital, de‑risk early‑stage investments, and unlock private capital needed to alleviate bottlenecks and speed the AI build in the United States. The letter also urged the administration to fast‑track permitting and environmental‑review processes for these projects and to establish a strategic reserve of critical raw materials, specifically copper, aluminum, and processed rare‑earth minerals, that are essential for AI‑infrastructure hardware.

Public Reaction and Clarifications from OpenAI Executives

The letter, first published on October 27, initially received limited attention. It gained prominence after OpenAI executives discussed the content at a Wall Street Journal event. During the event, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar suggested that the government should “backstop” OpenAI’s infrastructure loans. Friar later posted on LinkedIn that she had misspoken, emphasizing that OpenAI is not seeking a government backstop for its infrastructure commitments.

Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman also weighed in, stating that OpenAI does not “have or want government guarantees for OpenAI datacenters.” He reiterated a belief that governments should not pick winners or losers and that taxpayers should not bail out companies that make poor business decisions. Altman noted that the company had discussed loan guarantees only in the context of supporting semiconductor fab construction in the United States.

Financial Outlook and Capital Commitments

Altman provided forward‑looking financial expectations, projecting that OpenAI will finish 2025 with an annualized revenue run rate above $20 billion and intends to grow to “hundreds of billions” by 2030. He also disclosed that OpenAI has made $1.4 trillion in capital commitments for the next eight years, underscoring the scale of the company’s planned investments in AI infrastructure.

Implications for U.S. AI Policy

If the administration adopts OpenAI’s recommendations, the expanded AMIC could reshape the financing landscape for AI‑related projects, encouraging private investment while reducing reliance on direct government subsidies. The call for a strategic raw‑material reserve also signals a broader concern about supply‑chain resilience for advanced technologies. OpenAI’s public clarification that it does not seek direct government guarantees reinforces the company’s stance on market‑driven growth, even as it seeks policy adjustments that would indirectly lower its cost structure.