OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, along with major technology partners, plans to invest $500 billion in new data centers for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Initially, $100 billion will be invested in a joint venture named Stargate. This project, expected to create 100,000 jobs in the United States, was announced by US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The new US President is focusing on AI right at the start of his term. One of his first actions was to overturn regulations for AI development that his predecessor, Joe Biden, had established in the fall of 2023. Biden’s order required developers to inform the US government about AI programs that could potentially pose risks to national security, the economy, or health, even during the training of AI models. Developers were also supposed to share safety test results with authorities.
There are concerns about AI, such as the potential development of dangerous malware or biological weapons. However, Trump’s current message to the industry is to proceed without hesitation.
The partners in Stargate include the software giant Oracle and the Japanese technology company Softbank, led by billionaire Masayoshi Son. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has long urged the US to invest massively in AI data centers and the energy supply needed for them, partly to maintain an edge over other countries like China. AI applications require enormous computing power, both for training AI models and for their operation.
The project is set to begin with data centers in Texas, according to Oracle founder Larry Ellison. He noted that AI could improve healthcare by analyzing patient data. The investment volume of $500 billion is expected to be reached in four years, according to Son.
Altman stated that Stargate will become one of the most important projects for the US. He is also convinced that AI can help better combat diseases.
Ellison is known to be a supporter of Donald Trump. Son is currently trying to offset disastrous investments by Softbank in failed companies like the office space start-up WeWork, where billions were lost, with a big bet on AI.
For Altman, the joint announcement with Trump is a significant success. He is in a conflict with tech billionaire Elon Musk, who is currently one of the President’s closest confidants. Musk went to court to stop the transformation of OpenAI into a profit-oriented company. In return, Altman’s company accuses Musk of trying to seize control during his time at OpenAI. Musk has since established a rival company, xAI.