Publication date:
April 23, 2025
OpenAI's Potential Power Deal with Oklo Following Sam Altman's Board Resignation
Sam Altman's resignation from Oklo's board could pave the way for a significant power deal between OpenAI and the nuclear energy startup, potentially benefiting both companies and Altman himself.
Energy
Sam Altman's recent decision to step down as chairman of nuclear energy startup Oklo could set the stage for a potentially lucrative power agreement between OpenAI and Oklo. This strategic move, announced in an SEC filing, removes potential conflicts of interest and opens up new possibilities for collaboration between the two companies.
With Altman no longer on Oklo's board, OpenAI now has greater flexibility to pursue a power deal with the nuclear energy company. Altman, an early investor in Oklo, still maintains a 4.8% stake in the company. While he currently doesn't hold equity in OpenAI, this could change in the future, especially as the AI company considers transitioning to a for-profit corporate structure.
The potential for a power deal between OpenAI and Oklo is particularly significant given OpenAI's expanding data center operations. The AI company has been reducing its reliance on Microsoft as its sole cloud provider and has partnered with Oracle and SoftBank to build AI data centers in the United States. The first such site is already under construction in Abilene, Texas.
Oklo, for its part, has already secured agreements with major data center customers like Equinix and Switch. However, the company is still awaiting approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its nuclear reactor design. Oklo is preparing to file a second application for federal licensing after its initial application was rejected in 2022.
Industry experts and investors see this potential collaboration as part of a broader trend towards nuclear energy solutions in the AI sector. The massive energy requirements of AI infrastructure are driving demand for reliable, scalable, and potentially cleaner power sources.
While the deal is not yet finalized, the removal of potential conflicts of interest through Altman's board resignation has cleared a significant hurdle. If OpenAI does eventually partner with Oklo to power its data centers using nuclear reactors, it could represent a major step forward in addressing the energy challenges posed by the rapid growth of AI technology.
This development also highlights the intricate connections between the tech and energy sectors, as companies seek innovative solutions to meet the growing power demands of advanced computing infrastructure while also addressing environmental concerns.
With Altman no longer on Oklo's board, OpenAI now has greater flexibility to pursue a power deal with the nuclear energy company. Altman, an early investor in Oklo, still maintains a 4.8% stake in the company. While he currently doesn't hold equity in OpenAI, this could change in the future, especially as the AI company considers transitioning to a for-profit corporate structure.
The potential for a power deal between OpenAI and Oklo is particularly significant given OpenAI's expanding data center operations. The AI company has been reducing its reliance on Microsoft as its sole cloud provider and has partnered with Oracle and SoftBank to build AI data centers in the United States. The first such site is already under construction in Abilene, Texas.
Oklo, for its part, has already secured agreements with major data center customers like Equinix and Switch. However, the company is still awaiting approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its nuclear reactor design. Oklo is preparing to file a second application for federal licensing after its initial application was rejected in 2022.
Industry experts and investors see this potential collaboration as part of a broader trend towards nuclear energy solutions in the AI sector. The massive energy requirements of AI infrastructure are driving demand for reliable, scalable, and potentially cleaner power sources.
While the deal is not yet finalized, the removal of potential conflicts of interest through Altman's board resignation has cleared a significant hurdle. If OpenAI does eventually partner with Oklo to power its data centers using nuclear reactors, it could represent a major step forward in addressing the energy challenges posed by the rapid growth of AI technology.
This development also highlights the intricate connections between the tech and energy sectors, as companies seek innovative solutions to meet the growing power demands of advanced computing infrastructure while also addressing environmental concerns.
