Trump Announces $100 Billion Stargate A.I. Initiative With OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank
OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank formed a new joint venture called Stargate to invest in data centers, building on major U.S. investments in the technology.
President Trump on Tuesday announced a joint venture between OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle to create at least $100 billion in computing infrastructure to power artificial intelligence.
The venture, called Stargate, adds to tech companies’ significant investments in U.S. data centers, huge buildings full of servers that provide computing power. Stargate could eventually invest as much as $500 billion over four years. The three companies plan to contribute funds to the venture, which will be open to other investors and start with 10 data centers already under construction in Texas.
The announcement of the joint venture was an early trophy for Mr. Trump, even though the effort to form the venture predates his taking office on Monday. Mr. Trump has promised to accelerate the production of American-made A.I. to compete against China for global leadership in the technology, and on Monday he rolled back an executive order from former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. that imposed standards on safety and other requirements for government use of A.I.
During a news briefing Tuesday, Mr. Trump said he would remove barriers to allow for the creation of more data centers. He said he would make “emergency declarations” to allow Stargate to generate its own electricity, without providing details.
“This monumental undertaking is a resounding declaration of confidence in America’s potential,” Mr. Trump said from the White House’s Roosevelt Room.
“We’re going to make it as easy as it can be,” he added.
OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman; SoftBank’s chief, Masayoshi Son; and Oracle’s founder, Larry Ellison, were at the White House announcement with Mr. Trump.
