OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank Launch $500 Billion Stargate AI Data Center Expansion in the U.S.

OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank have announced plans to accelerate the massive $500 billion Stargate project, an ambitious private-sector initiative designed to build the next generation of artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States. The expansion, unveiled on Tuesday, underscores how major tech companies and government leaders are prioritizing AI as a driver of innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness.

The Stargate initiative, first introduced in January when President Donald Trump hosted top technology executives at the White House, aims to deliver 10 gigawatts of total data center capacity. OpenAI confirmed that three new sites will be built with Oracle in Shackelford County, Texas, Dona Ana County, New Mexico, and a third undisclosed location in the Midwest. In addition, two more AI data centers will rise in Lordstown, Ohio, and Milam County, Texas, through collaboration between OpenAI, SoftBank, and a SoftBank affiliate.

With these additions, Stargate’s data center network will reach nearly 7 gigawatts of capacity and over $400 billion in investment within the next three years. The ultimate goal remains a 10-gigawatt footprint, fueling the computing power needed to advance generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot.

The new facilities are expected to generate around 25,000 onsite jobs, marking a major boost for regional economies. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the importance of compute infrastructure, stating that “AI can only fulfill its promise if we build the compute to power it.”

This announcement follows Nvidia’s pledge to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI, supplying high-performance data center chips critical to the project. According to reports, OpenAI and its partners plan to leverage debt financing to lease chips for Stargate.

As AI becomes a strategic priority in defense, technology, and international competition—particularly with China’s push to catch up—the U.S. is doubling down on its role as a global leader in artificial intelligence innovation.