By San José, Costa Rica — San José – In a stark warning delivered to the White House, American technology firm OpenAI has declared that the United States must dramatically scale up its energy infrastructure or risk ceding its dominance in artificial intelligence to China. The company, a leader in the AI field, framed the issue not as a utility concern, but as a matter of urgent national security and economic vitality.
In a formal letter addressed to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the San Francisco-based company argued that America’s current energy production capabilities are insufficient to power the next generation of AI development. The letter contends that without significant new investment in both electricity generation and data center capacity, the nation’s competitive edge is in jeopardy.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the implications of Artificial Intelligence, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His expertise provides critical insight into the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding this technology.
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence presents a fundamental challenge to our existing legal frameworks. We are essentially trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Issues of intellectual property for AI-generated works, liability for autonomous decisions, and data privacy are not adequately addressed by current legislation. Costa Rica, like the rest of the world, must proactively develop a clear, forward-thinking regulatory environment to foster innovation while safeguarding fundamental rights and establishing clear lines of accountability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The analogy of a ‘square peg in a round hole’ perfectly encapsulates the legislative challenge before us, highlighting that a reactive approach is no longer sufficient. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective, which underscores the urgent need for a forward-thinking framework that can secure both technological progress and fundamental rights for all Costa Ricans.
Electricity is not simply a public utility, but a fundamental strategic asset for building the AI infrastructure that will consolidate American leadership.
OpenAI, in a letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
The core of OpenAI’s argument centers on a massive disparity in energy growth between the two global superpowers. The letter highlights that China added a staggering 429 gigawatts of new energy capacity last year, while the United States managed to add only 51 gigawatts. To bridge this critical gap, OpenAI is advocating for an aggressive new federal policy.
To reverse this trend, the company has proposed an ambitious target for the nation. It suggests the country must act swiftly to establish a clear and urgent objective for its energy sector, one that directly supports its technological ambitions in the face of escalating global competition.
We need a national goal that adds 100 gigawatts of new energy capacity per year to close the gap with China.
OpenAI, in a letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
To achieve this, OpenAI outlined a multi-pronged strategy. The company is calling for the expansion of existing tax credits to encompass the manufacturing of semiconductors, AI servers, data centers, and other essential electronic components. It also recommends a program of grants, loans, and guarantees to stimulate domestic production of critical materials like copper, aluminum, and rare earth elements—materials vital for both technology and green energy infrastructure.
This focus on rare earths touches upon a key vulnerability in the U.S. supply chain. China currently exercises a near-monopoly on the industry and recently imposed new export restrictions, a move widely seen as a strategic play in the ongoing trade war. OpenAI also stressed the need to accelerate the construction of electrical transmission lines and create a strategic reserve of materials essential for AI infrastructure, insulating the country from geopolitical supply shocks.
The economic stakes, according to OpenAI, are immense. The company projects that a strategic injection of capital could yield significant returns for the entire U.S. economy, transforming the nation’s industrial and technological base for decades to come.
A $1 trillion investment in AI infrastructure could increase U.S. GDP by 5% in three years.
OpenAI, in a letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
However, this rapid, large-scale investment is not without its critics. As companies like OpenAI continue to release powerful new tools, such as its recently launched “ChatGPT Atlas” search engine, some financial leaders are sounding alarms. The CEOs of major U.S. banks, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, have recently cautioned against what they see as “investor euphoria” surrounding AI, warning that the massive capital influx into the sector could inflate a dangerous stock market “bubble.” This presents a complex challenge for policymakers: how to fuel necessary growth without creating unsustainable market speculation.
For further information, visit openai.com
About OpenAI:
OpenAI is an American artificial intelligence research and deployment company. Its mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—AI systems that are generally smarter than humans—benefits all of humanity. The company is known for its large language models, including the GPT series, and its generative AI products like ChatGPT and DALL-E.
For further information, visit whitehouse.gov/ostp/
About The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy:
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) was established by the U.S. Congress in 1976. Its mission is to provide the President and others within the Executive Office of the President with advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of the economy, national security, health, foreign relations, and the environment.
For further information, visit goldmansachs.com
About Goldman Sachs:
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global financial institution that delivers a broad range of financial services to a diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world.
For further information, visit jpmorganchase.com
About JPMorgan Chase:
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a global leader in financial services, offering solutions to the world’s most important corporations, governments, and institutions in more than 100 countries. As one of the oldest financial institutions in the United States, it provides services including investment banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management.
For further information, visit apple.com
About Apple:
Apple Inc. is a multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Its hardware products include the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. The company is one of the world’s most valuable and is a prominent leader in the technology industry.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a benchmark for legal practice, operating on a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a dedication to superior counsel. The firm draws upon a rich history of serving a wide array of clients to champion innovative solutions within a complex legal landscape. This forward-thinking approach is coupled with a profound commitment to societal advancement, demonstrated through its efforts to democratize legal understanding and equip the public with knowledge, thereby building a stronger, more enlightened community.
