- Stargate, a new AI infrastructure company, was announced by three top tech firms on Tuesday.
- The project, dubbed the “largest AI infrastructure project in history,” will start with a $100 billion investment.
- Stargate aims to build data centers and virtual infrastructure across the US to boost AI capabilities.
- OpenAI highlights this investment as vital to maintaining US leadership over Chinese technology.
- The initiative is expected to create 100,000 US jobs and provide significant economic benefits.
On Tuesday, January 21, three leading tech firms unveiled Stargate, a groundbreaking company designed to expand artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure across the United States. Specifically, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison announced this ambitious initiative at the White House alongside President Donald Trump.
President Trump described Stargate as “the largest AI infrastructure project in history,” emphasizing its transformative potential. Notably, the venture begins with a substantial $100 billion investment, with plans to scale up to $500 billion in the coming years. Consequently, the project is set to create 100,000 jobs and establish the US as a global leader in AI infrastructure development.
Building Next-Generation AI Infrastructure
Stargate’s mission is to develop the physical and virtual infrastructure necessary to support the next wave of AI technologies. For instance, this includes constructing state-of-the-art data centers nationwide. The first major project, a one-million-square-foot data center in Texas, is already underway, according to Ellison.
AI leaders have long emphasized the urgent need for more data centers, as well as the chips, electricity, and water resources required to power AI advancements. Altman highlighted the critical nature of this initiative, stating, “This will be the most important project of this era. We wouldn’t be able to do this without you, Mr. President.”
In a policy white paper published last week, OpenAI underscored the importance of investing in US AI infrastructure to outpace Chinese technology. The document estimated $175 billion in global funds are currently poised for AI projects, warning that failing to attract these investments could bolster China’s influence.
“If the US doesn’t attract those funds, they will flow to China-backed projects, strengthening the Chinese Communist Party’s global influence,” the white paper stated. Additionally, Altman stressed the importance of ensuring that these investments create jobs, drive economic opportunities, and benefit as many people as possible.
Collaborative Efforts for Global Impact
Stargate’s collaborative framework leverages the strengths of its founding partners. For example, SoftBank, known for its vast financial resources, will take on the financial responsibilities for the project. OpenAI will oversee operational management, while Oracle’s expertise as a leading US data center operator will provide critical support. Additionally, a fourth partner, MGX, is contributing additional funding. SoftBank’s Son will serve as Stargate’s chairman.
Oracle affirmed the project’s significance, stating, “Stargate will secure American leadership in AI, create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and generate massive economic benefits worldwide.”
As the US invests in AI infrastructure, it aims not only to bolster its economy but also to secure its strategic capabilities. Altman emphasized, “Infrastructure in the United States is super important… We need to build the best AI infrastructure in the world to lead in technology and capabilities.”