New Facilities to Boost AI Capacity
OpenAI, in partnership with Oracle and SoftBank, has announced plans to add five additional data-center locations to its Stargate program. The upcoming sites will be located in Shackelford County, Texas; Doña Ana County, New Mexico; Milam County, Texas; Lordstown, Ohio; and an as-yet undisclosed Midwestern state. The expansion is expected to bring the program’s projected computing capacity to approximately 7 gigawatts, as part of a broader initiative targeting up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure investment.
Partner Roles and Project Commitments
The consortium outlined that Oracle will lead construction on three of the new centers, while SoftBank will take the lead on two others. With this latest announcement, the overall investment in the Stargate program approaches $400 billion. Executives highlighted that the collaboration is intended to support future AI systems, combining Oracle’s data-center expertise, SoftBank’s global networking capabilities, and OpenAI’s AI development requirements.
Job Creation and Resource Challenges
The companies estimate that the construction and operation of the new facilities will create tens of thousands of jobs. Local authorities are beginning to evaluate zoning, incentive, and utility plans associated with the projects. Energy and infrastructure analysts warn that facilities of this magnitude will place considerable demands on electricity and water resources, particularly in Texas and New Mexico. Proponents assert that despite these challenges, the Stargate program will bolster U.S. competitiveness in AI while delivering economic benefits to the regions hosting the centers.
