OpenAI is asking the federal government to broaden its financial support for artificial intelligence infrastructure, according to a recent letter from the company to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The request seeks to make AI data centers and related components eligible for federal tax credits through a program currently focused on semiconductor manufacturing.
The letter, dated October 27 and authored by Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, was addressed to OSTP Director Michael Kratsios. In it, the company argued that the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC)—a 35% tax credit originally intended for semiconductor fabrication—should be expanded to cover power grid components, AI servers, and specialized data centers that support AI workloads.
“Broadening coverage of the AMIC will lower the effective cost of capital, de-risk early investment, and unlock private capital to help alleviate bottlenecks and accelerate the AI build in the U.S.,” Lehane wrote.
The AMIC was introduced as part of the CHIPS and Science Act, a Biden-era initiative aimed at revitalizing domestic chip production and associated industries. OpenAI is asking for adjustments to ensure emerging AI infrastructure benefits from the same level of federal support.
The letter also outlined several additional requests. OpenAI urged the federal government to streamline permitting and environmental reviews to speed up the construction of AI facilities. It also proposed creating a national reserve of critical materials such as copper, aluminum, and rare earth elements, which are essential for building data centers and related hardware.
Public attention to OpenAI’s proposals intensified this week following comments by company executives. At The Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live conference on November 6, OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar called on the government to “backstop” the company’s infrastructure investments. In a follow-up on LinkedIn, Friar clarified her statement: “OpenAI is not seeking a government backstop for our infrastructure commitments. I used the word ‘backstop’ and it muddied the point.”
Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman also addressed the issue, emphasizing that OpenAI is not asking for a bailout in the event its business fails. “We believe that governments should not pick winners or losers, and that taxpayers should not bail out companies that make bad business decisions or otherwise lose in the market,” he wrote in a public statement. However, Altman acknowledged that discussions have taken place about federal guarantees for building semiconductor fabrication facilities, which are a key part of the AI supply chain.
In the same post, Altman shared financial figures pointing to OpenAI’s rapid growth. He said the company expects to finish 2025 with an annualized revenue run rate exceeding $20 billion, and projected that figure could reach “hundreds of billions” by 2030. He also revealed that OpenAI has made approximately $1.4 trillion in capital commitments through 2032, largely for the construction of AI infrastructure.
The company’s push for expanded federal incentives comes as tech firms ramp up investment in data centers and computing power to support increasingly complex AI models. By seeking inclusion in existing tax credit programs and advocating for faster regulatory processes, OpenAI is positioning itself to maintain momentum while navigating the high costs and logistical hurdles of AI infrastructure development.
The debate over whether the government should subsidize such expansion touches on broader questions about the role of public funds in supporting private AI ventures. While OpenAI’s leaders have publicly rejected the idea of government guarantees for their business, their lobbying efforts highlight the scale of resources needed—and the growing intersection between federal policy and AI advancement in the United States.
