In a major step toward advancing the United States’ artificial intelligence infrastructure, OpenAI and Oracle have announced a strategic agreement to develop an additional 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of data centre capacity under the Stargate project. This expansion marks a pivotal milestone in OpenAI’s broader $500 billion initiative to build 10 GW of AI infrastructure nationwide over the next four years.

This new development, in partnership with Oracle, brings the total under-construction capacity to over 5 GW, including the ongoing Stargate I project in Abilene, Texas. The combined capacity will support more than 2 million high-performance chips essential for next-generation AI research and development. OpenAI expects the initiative to exceed its initial target due to sustained momentum from industry collaborators, including Oracle and SoftBank.

“This significantly advances our progress toward the commitment we announced at the White House in January,” OpenAI stated. “We now expect to exceed our initial commitment thanks to strong momentum with partners including Oracle and SoftBank.”

The expansion is projected to contribute significantly to employment and industrial growth in the U.S., with OpenAI estimating the creation of over 100,000 jobs through the construction and operation of the new data centre facilities. These roles span direct full-time positions, construction jobs, and indirect employment in manufacturing and local services. Stargate I in Texas has already employed thousands of workers, with roles ranging from specialised electricians to equipment technicians drawn from more than 20 states.

Oracle has already begun delivering advanced Nvidia GB200 racks for the Abilene facility, enabling OpenAI to initiate training and inference workloads. This development is seen as an essential foundation for OpenAI’s next-generation research efforts.

The Stargate platform represents OpenAI’s long-term vision to democratise the benefits of AI and maintain the United States’ global leadership in the field. It is a comprehensive infrastructure ecosystem that includes strategic partnerships with Oracle, SoftBank, CoreWeave, and Microsoft. Notably, Microsoft will continue to deliver critical cloud services for OpenAI under the Stargate framework.

Despite significant headway, challenges remain. OpenAI’s collaboration with SoftBank has encountered reported delays, especially concerning site selection. A smaller-scale facility may be constructed by year-end, possibly in Ohio. Nevertheless, OpenAI remains committed to its partnership with SoftBank, citing rapid progress in site assessments and innovative approaches to data centre design aimed at supporting advanced AI systems.

Over the past six months, rising global interest in the Stargate initiative has further shaped OpenAI’s infrastructure strategy. The company acknowledges the strong support from both public and private sectors, including key backing from the White House, which views AI infrastructure as vital to national competitiveness and innovation. As the Stargate expansion progresses, it stands as a transformative endeavour set to redefine AI capabilities, catalyse job creation, and bolster the U.S. economy—ushering in a new era of AI-powered industrial growth.

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