But critics argue that Ireland, awash with cash from a corporation tax bonanza paid by global firms with big operations in the country, is using its neutral status to duck its 21st-century responsibilities.

So, the trillion-dollar question: is OpenAI building the future — or overreaching on hype?

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But analysts warn of an AI bubble. OpenAI is set to lose billions of dollars a year. If AI does not keep growing exponentially, and if Sam Altman cannot turn a profit, the investor enthusiasm that has boosted these big deals could quickly falter.

Many of the deals are circular and have given an immediate share price boost to the start-up’s partners. For example, Nvidia plans to invest $100bn in OpenAI over the next decade, providing OpenAI with cash to buy Nvidia’s chips.

From Microsoft to Meta, Amazon to Anthropic, some of the world’s biggest tech groups have signed up to OpenAI founder Sam Altman's huge bet on artificial intelligence. The deals total near $1tn — even as OpenAI burns through cash.

If there is a shutdown, “non-essential” parts of the government will close. A December 2018 shutdown affected 800,000 employees — and this time the White House wants staff to be fired not furloughed.

An email from the Office of Management and Budget has encouraged agencies to cut staff.

Both sides are still far apart.

“We have very large differences,” Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said on Monday. Democrats have argued for a permanent extension of health insurance subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.