OpenAI’s massive AI project, Stargate, could soon expand beyond the United States. Though it started with a clear focus on boosting AI infrastructure within the US, the US$500 billion initiative now considers plans to grow internationally — including the UK, Germany and France.
Stargate may soon reach Europe
You might have first heard of Stargate earlier this year when OpenAI launched it alongside tech giant Oracle and investment firm SoftBank. The idea behind the project was to build powerful AI data centres and other essential infrastructure to support future advances in artificial intelligence. Originally designed to be a US-focused initiative, the project reportedly thinks beyond American borders.
According to a recent report from the Financial Times, OpenAI and its partners are in the early stages of evaluating potential sites overseas. The UK, Germany, and France are some of the top countries under consideration. While these discussions are still in the planning phase, they mark an important shift in the project’s direction.
The team behind Stargate has yet to make any final decisions. Their energy remains focused on developing the project’s core in the US. However, the move to explore global options hints at the growing demand for AI capabilities worldwide and the need for international hubs to meet that demand.
It is still early days for funding
At the heart of Stargate’s mission is to secure US$100 billion in its first round of funding. It’s an enormous figure, but the people behind it believe it must power the scale of what they’re building. SoftBank, one of the key partners, is expected to contribute tens of billions of dollars. These funds will be provided as a mix of equity investment and loans.
Though the overall budget for the Stargate project is expected to hit US$500 billion, the team is taking a step-by-step approach. Securing that first US$100 billion will be a major milestone, giving the project the momentum it needs to grow.
OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank bring deep experience in technology and finance, so they’re seen as a strong trio to lead such a complex and expensive initiative. Their combined efforts aim to support the future of artificial intelligence by giving it the infrastructure it needs to grow at scale.
Trump gave the project a big thumbs-up
When the Stargate project was first announced in January, it drew praise from several major figures. Among them was former President Donald Trump, who called it a “declaration of confidence in America.” The project was a major step in ensuring the US could develop AI for years.
With expansion plans being explored, Stargate could also help other countries tap into this vision. If OpenAI and its partners decide to move forward with building AI centres in places like the UK, it could mean new investment, new jobs, and a stronger global AI network.
So, while the project’s roots are firmly planted in the US, you may soon see Stargate making headlines across Europe. As countries compete to lead in the AI race, partnerships like these could shape the future of technology on a worldwide scale.
