OpenAI just doubled down on its infrastructure ambitions, announcing five new Stargate data centers across the US in partnership with Oracle and SoftBank. The expansion pushes the project's total capacity to seven gigawatts - enough to power over five million homes - as the AI giant prepares for the next generation of artificial intelligence models.
OpenAI is reshaping America's AI infrastructure landscape with a massive expansion that puts the company at the center of the nation's artificial intelligence buildout. The Tuesday announcement of five new Stargate data centers represents more than just corporate growth - it's a strategic positioning for the AI arms race that's defining the next decade of technology.
The numbers paint a picture of unprecedented scale. Seven gigawatts of planned capacity translates to enough electricity to power more than five million American homes, making this one of the largest private infrastructure projects in recent memory. That's roughly equivalent to the power consumption of entire metropolitan areas, underscoring just how energy-intensive training advanced AI models has become.
Oracle is taking the lead with three facilities spread across key US markets. The partnership places sites in Shackelford County, Texas; Doña Ana County, New Mexico; and an undisclosed Midwest location that Oracle is keeping under wraps for now. Meanwhile, SoftBank is developing two additional centers in Lordstown, Ohio - a former General Motors hub that's been repositioning itself as a tech manufacturing center - and Milam County, Texas.
The geographic distribution isn't accidental. Texas has emerged as America's data center capital, offering favorable energy costs, business-friendly regulations, and abundant land. New Mexico provides similar advantages with additional tax incentives for tech infrastructure. Ohio's selection signals OpenAI's interest in revitalizing Rust Belt manufacturing regions with next-generation industry.
This expansion comes at a critical moment for OpenAI, which is racing to maintain its position as competitors like Google, Microsoft, and Meta pour billions into their own AI infrastructure. The company's partnership approach - leveraging Oracle's enterprise cloud expertise and SoftBank's deep pockets - allows it to scale faster than building everything in-house.
