“Classified AI initiative sets course for enigmatic data centers”
OpenAI is currently on a quest across the United States to identify suitable locations for establishing a network of massive data centers that will fuel its advanced artificial intelligence technology. This expansion effort goes beyond the confines of its primary base in Texas as the renowned organization explores possibilities in 16 different states to expedite the Stargate project, which has garnered support from President Donald Trump.
The developers of ChatGPT have issued a call for proposals related to land acquisition, electricity supply, as well as the recruitment of engineers and architects. In the current week, OpenAI has initiated visits to potential sites in Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. President Trump recently lauded the Stargate project, a collaborative endeavor involving OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank, shortly after his return to the White House.
This strategic partnership has committed to substantial investments totaling $100 billion, with a potential increase to $500 billion, aimed at constructing large-scale data centers and generating the requisite energy to propel AI advancements. Trump hailed the project as a bold testament to the confidence in America’s future under his administration, despite the fact that the inaugural venture in Abilene, Texas has been in progress for several months.
Elon Musk, both an advisor to Trump and a vocal opponent of OpenAI engaged in legal disputes with the organization and its CEO Sam Altman, has publicly questioned the efficacy of Stargate’s financial allocations. Following Trump’s announcement, numerous states have expressed interest in hosting additional data centers for OpenAI, as revealed by Chris Lehane, the company’s vice president of global affairs during a press briefing on Thursday.
The criteria outlined in OpenAI’s request for proposals emphasize the necessity of proximity to essential infrastructure such as power and water sources. Given the substantial energy consumption associated with AI operations, much of which is derived from fossil fuels, the sector significantly contributes to climate change. Moreover, data centers are notorious for their high water usage for cooling purposes.
While the proposal from OpenAI does not explicitly mention a commitment to utilizing renewable energy sources like wind or solar power for the data centers, it does stipulate that electricity providers must have strategies in place to manage carbon emissions and water consumption. The initial project in Texas is situated in an area recognized by Abilene’s mayor, as reported by The Associated Press, for its abundance of diverse energy sources encompassing wind, solar, and gas.
Keith Heyde, overseeing OpenAI’s infrastructure strategy, disclosed plans to explore opportunities to facilitate the integration of new energy sources, such as through the deployment of new gas facilities, at selected sites. Apart from Texas, the other states currently being actively considered by OpenAI for potential data center locations include Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Heyde specified that the company aims to establish between five to ten campuses in total, contingent on the scale of each individual facility
