OpenAI picks Texas for ‘flagship’ data center in Stargate project

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, has announced that Texas will be the flagship site for its Stargate project, a massive data center initiative. The project aims to invest up to $500 billion to help the US stay ahead of China and other competitors in the global AI race. The initiative was announced by President Donald Trump in January, with the goal of funding AI infrastructure and creating over 100,000 jobs in the US. Sixteen states have expressed interest in hosting data centers for the project. The initial data centers are already under construction in Texas, with Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison confirming the development. The project has secured $100 billion in commitments from equity backers, with the remaining investment expected to occur over the next four years. The Stargate project is a private sector investment initiative aimed at outpacing rival nations in AI technology. OpenAI is building the project in partnership with SoftBank. The data centers will be a critical component of the project, supporting the development of AI infrastructure in the US. The initiative is seen as a significant step in the global AI race, with the US seeking to maintain its competitive edge.