A $7 billion OpenAI data centre is to be built at Eastern Creek in Sydney with the news coming days after the company opened its first Australian office.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that Australia is “well placed to be a global leader in AI” with its technical talent, strong institutions and ambition to boost productivity with new technology.
“Through OpenAI for Australia, we are focused on accelerating the infrastructure, workforce skills and local ecosystem needed to turn that opportunity into long-term economic growth,” he says.
Altman also announced they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NEXTDC to build a next-generation hyperscale AI campus and large-scale GPU supercluster at the new centre in Eastern Creek.
OPENAI ACADEMY
OpenAI will also help CommBank, Coles and Wesfarmers train their 1.2 million staff and businesses to boost competitiveness, productivity and growth, the US company says.
Through its academy, Coles and Wesfarmers will rollout tailored AI training programs to their entire workforces while the bank will make their training modules available to their one million small business customers.
CommBank CEO Matt Comyn says “small businesses are the backbone of the economy and the engine of communities but too many small business owners tell us they simply don’t have the time or confidence to explore how AI could help them”.
“We want every small business to feel confident using digital technologies such as AI, whether they’re starting, running, or growing their business,” he says.
A national rollout of academy courses for these organisations is to start next year.
NSW WELCOMES MOVE
The state is already home to 90 data centres with 20 more being assessed, the government says.
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says “Sydney is Australia’s digital capital, backed by world-class talent and strong government investment and OpenAI’s arrival here takes that even further”.
“In the years ahead, thousands of businesses will run smarter, be more competitive and innovative … big private investments like this today are how we create jobs and grow the economy tomorrow.”
Planning Minister and Acting Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Paul Scully says OpenAI ‘s choice of NSW as its first Asia-Pacific base cements the state’s status as a global technology player.
“NSW is establishing itself as one of the top jurisdictions in the world for data centres due to our reputation as a sophisticated tech and financial hub, our drive to increase renewable energy and our skilled workforce.”
Customer Service and Digital Government Minister Jihad Dib says their new updated AI regulations and office is positioning the state for safe and ethical use of technology in the public sector.
Finance Minister Courtney Houssos says they “want to see innovation, including AI, used to improve productivity across all industries”.
OpenAI says it will also launch its first startup program in Australia in partnership with venture capital firms Blackbird, Square Peg and AirTree.
Under the program, OpenAI will give start-ups up to US$15,000 (A$22,600) worth of API credits, mentoring from engineers and global experts, and access to workshops.
EARLIER OPENAI NEWS: Altman says there is a need for regulation
