OpenAI's Sam Altman emphasizes AI's impact during Senate committee hearing

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened on May 8, 2025, to discuss the critical topic of strengthening American capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) and computing. The meeting featured prominent witnesses from the tech industry, including Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI; Lisa Su, chair and CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD); Michael Entrater, CEO of CoreWeave; and Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft.

The session began with opening statements from the witnesses, starting with Sam Altman. He highlighted the rapid growth and significance of OpenAI's ChatGPT, which now serves over 500 million users weekly and ranks as the fifth largest website globally. Altman emphasized the transformative impact of AI on productivity, noting that scientists report being two to three times more productive due to AI tools. He underscored the importance of continued investment in infrastructure to maintain U.S. leadership in AI, likening its potential impact to that of the Internet.

Altman shared his vision for the future, predicting that the next decade will be defined by advancements in both intelligence and energy. He described a recent visit to Abilene, Texas, where OpenAI is constructing the world's largest AI training facility, and stressed the need for a robust supply chain to support AI development, including energy, chips, and data centers.

Following Altman, Lisa Su addressed the committee, expressing her commitment to advancing high-performance computing and AI technologies through AMD. She emphasized the role of innovation in maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the global tech landscape.

Michael Entrater discussed CoreWeave's position as the largest purpose-built AI cloud platform, highlighting the growing demand for AI infrastructure and services. He noted the importance of collaboration between government and industry to foster innovation and ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of AI development.

Brad Smith concluded the witness statements by discussing Microsoft's initiatives in AI and the company's commitment to ethical AI practices. He reiterated the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI technologies.

The meeting underscored a collective recognition among industry leaders and lawmakers of the urgent need for strategic investments and policies to bolster U.S. capabilities in AI and computing. The discussions set the stage for future legislative efforts aimed at fostering innovation and ensuring that America continues to lead in the AI revolution.