President Trump on Tuesday announced a joint venture between OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle to create at least $100 billion worth of computing infrastructure to power artificial intelligence.
The project, called Stargate, adds to technology companies’ heavy investments in US data centers, massive buildings filled with servers that provide computing power. Stargate could ultimately invest up to $500 billion over four years. The three companies plan to contribute funds to the project, which will be open to other investors and will start with 10 data centers already under construction in Texas.
The announcement of the joint venture was an early reward for Mr. Trump, although efforts to shape the venture preceded his taking office on Monday. Trump has promised to accelerate production of American-made artificial intelligence to compete against China for global leadership in the technology, and on Monday he reversed an executive order issued by former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. that imposed standards on safety and other matters. Requirements for government use of artificial intelligence
During a press conference on Tuesday, Trump said he would remove barriers to allow more data centers to be built. He said he would make “emergency declarations” to allow Stargate to generate its own electricity, without providing details.
“This massive project is a resounding declaration of confidence in America’s potential,” Trump said from the Roosevelt Room of the White House.
“We will make it as easy as possible,” he added.
OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman; SoftBank Chairman, Masayoshi Son; and Oracle founder Larry Ellison were present at the White House announcement with Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump separately responded to reporters’ questions about the potential sale of TikTok. On Monday he signed on An executive order aimed at disrupting the implementation of the law The popular app is forced to be sold or banned in the United States due to national security concerns.
When asked if he would support “I would, yes,” Mr. Trump said after Elon Musk bought TikTok. He then turned to Mr. Ellison and said that Oracle could also buy TikTok.
“I have the right to make a deal,” Mr. Trump added.
Technology executives have been quick to show their support for Mr. Trump in recent months in hopes of winning his favor and protecting themselves from regulatory retaliation. They donated millions to his campaign and inauguration. Mr. Altman attended the opening ceremony and the CEOs of Google, Apple and Meta took prime seats in the Capitol Rotunda.
Mr. Trump has hailed the promise of artificial intelligence for economic growth, and appointed venture capital investor David Sachs to a new position as his AI advisor.
OpenAI has been around for a long time I worked on finance Its ambitious goals are to build data centers around the world. This month, the company presented an economic roadmap to the new administration Which centered on a large-scale plan for US data centers that are being used to run artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT.
For years, Microsoft, the largest investor in OpenAI, has provided the data center infrastructure needed to run the startup. But while the ChatGPT maker struggled to get enough computer power from Microsoft, the two companies agreed that OpenAI could look to additional data centers built by Oracle.
(The New York Times has File a lawsuit against OpenAI and its partner Microsoft allege copyright infringement in news content related to AI systems. Both companies have denied the lawsuit’s allegations.)
Last year, Mr. Altman began meeting with investors in the United Arab Emirates, computer chip makers in Asia and officials in Washington, suggesting that they join forces to build new computer chip factories and data centers around the world.
After officials in Washington expressed concern that an American company was trying to build critical technology in the Middle East, OpenAI focused on building new data centers in the United States.
