OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank are significantly expanding their commitment to AI infrastructure with the "Stargate" project, announcing plans for five new AI data center sites across the United States. This initiative aims to revolutionize AI development by providing the massive computing power required for training and running advanced AI models.

The Stargate Project: A Multi-Billion Dollar Investment

The Stargate project, first announced in January 2025, represents a joint venture with a planned investment of $500 billion in AI infrastructure within the U.S. by 2029. The project is led by SoftBank, with CEO Masayoshi Son serving as chairman, overseeing finances and strategy. OpenAI is responsible for the operational aspects of the project. Other key initial equity funders include Oracle and MGX. The project has been compared to the Manhattan Project due to its scale.

The collaboration aims to construct essential data centers and computing infrastructure to power AI development, with the goal of creating numerous American jobs. The initiative is also seen as a strategic move to maintain U.S. leadership in AI capabilities amidst global competition.

New Data Center Locations

The five new data center sites announced will be located in: * Shackelford County, Texas * Doña Ana County, New Mexico * Lordstown, Ohio * Milam County, Texas * A location in the Midwest, which is yet to be disclosed.

These new sites, combined with the flagship data center already operational in Abilene, Texas, and ongoing projects with CoreWeave, bring Stargate to nearly 7 gigawatts of planned capacity and over $400 billion in investment over the next three years. This puts the project ahead of schedule to secure its full $500 billion and 10-gigawatt commitment by the end of 2025.

The data center in Abilene, Texas, comprises eight buildings, with one already operational and another nearing completion. Oracle began delivering the first NVIDIA GB200 racks there in June 2025.

Partnerships and Contributions

The Stargate project involves significant partnerships and contributions from each of the key players:

• OpenAI: Leases and operates the data center facilities and utilizes the infrastructure to train advanced AI models. OpenAI is also working closely with NVIDIA and Oracle to build and operate this computing system.
• Oracle: Provides cloud infrastructure (Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - OCI) and is developing three of the new data center sites. The partnership between OpenAI and Oracle represents an investment exceeding $300 billion over the next five years. Oracle began delivering the first NVIDIA GB200 racks in June.
• SoftBank: Brings expertise in telecommunications infrastructure and energy systems to the collaboration. SoftBank is developing two sites in partnership with OpenAI. One facility in Lordstown, Ohio, is already under construction using SoftBank's advanced data center design. The second site in Milam County, Texas, will be developed in partnership with SB Energy, a SoftBank Group company, which is providing powered infrastructure for a fast-build data center site.
• NVIDIA: Is partnering with OpenAI to deploy at least 10 gigawatts of NVIDIA systems for OpenAI's next-generation AI infrastructure. NVIDIA intends to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI as the new NVIDIA systems are deployed.

Impact and Future Implications

The Stargate project is expected to have a significant impact on the AI landscape:

• Increased Computing Power: The new data centers will provide the massive computing power needed to train and run advanced AI models, enabling further breakthroughs in AI technology. The data centers being developed by Oracle and OpenAI will deliver 5.5 gigawatts of capacity, which is double the electricity needed to power San Francisco.
• Job Creation: The project is expected to create over 25,000 on-site jobs and tens of thousands of additional jobs across the U.S.
• Economic Growth: The Stargate project is viewed as a catalyst for economic growth, fostering innovation and creating new opportunities in the AI sector. Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, is projected to employ 2,500 construction workers and 750 full-time workers once operational.
• Technological Advancement: By providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Stargate project aims to accelerate AI research and development, leading to new applications and advancements across various industries.

The Stargate project represents a substantial investment in the future of AI, with the potential to reshape the technological landscape and drive significant economic and societal benefits.