According to Fortune, OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman is steering the company’s massive $1.4 trillion infrastructure buildout aimed at deploying 30 gigawatts of compute capacity. This comes as OpenAI reportedly generates only about $13 billion in annual revenue, creating a massive financial gamble. Brockman recently negotiated a groundbreaking partnership with AMD CEO Lisa Su that sent AMD’s stock soaring 24% in a single day. After a months-long sabbatical starting in August 2024 amid reports of internal tensions, Brockman has made a remarkable comeback as OpenAI’s “builder-in-chief.” He’s now pouring millions into political lobbying through Leading the Future PAC while helping shape OpenAI’s corporate restructuring into a Public Benefit Corporation.
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From sabbatical to center stage
Here’s the thing about Brockman’s story – it’s a classic Silicon Valley redemption arc. He was removed from OpenAI‘s board during the Altman firing drama and then took that extended break starting last August. Media reports suggested his demanding leadership style created team tensions, and honestly, it wasn’t clear he’d ever return to a meaningful role. But now? He’s everywhere – dining at the White House, meeting with world leaders, and basically becoming OpenAI’s operational mastermind while Altman handles the visionary stuff. It’s a pretty dramatic turnaround for someone whose future seemed uncertain just months ago.
Building against physics
Brockman’s approach to partnerships is basically “go big or go home.” Lisa Su told Fortune that normal tech partnerships unfold in stages, but Brockman insisted on massive scale from day one. He’s operating with this “failure is not an option” mentality while trying to build gigawatts of compute capacity in record time. The sheer scale is mind-boggling – he recently told CNBC that it makes the Apollo program look small by comparison. But here’s the real question: can anyone actually build infrastructure this fast without cutting corners or creating massive risk?
The money behind the machines
The financing methods being used are, frankly, concerning. Nvidia is reportedly discussing guaranteeing loans that OpenAI would use to build data centers – meaning if OpenAI can’t repay, the chipmaker could be on the hook for billions. There’s also this circular deal structure where OpenAI pays Nvidia cash for chips while Nvidia takes equity in OpenAI and backstops its loans. Analysts are calling these “related-party transactions” that might artificially prop up valuations. And if investors decide these ties are too cozy? Gil Luria from D.A. Davidson warns there could be “deflating activity” that hits Nvidia, Oracle, and other OpenAI partners.
Beyond building – the politics
Brockman isn’t just building data centers – he’s building political influence too. He’s pouring millions into Leading the Future, a $100 million PAC dedicated to lobbying against AI regulation. Behind the scenes, he helped shape OpenAI’s transition to a Public Benefit Corporation, which opens up new fundraising possibilities. And now there’s talk of a potential IPO that could value OpenAI at up to $1 trillion. Basically, Brockman has become this unique power broker sitting at the intersection of AI, energy, capital, and politics. He’s not just building technology – he’s building the entire ecosystem around it, and that might be his most significant legacy.
