OpenAI, Oracle tout new Stargate facility in Texas

The Stargate trio—OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank— showed off a massive data center complex in Abilene, Texas, on Tuesday, which is part of their $500 billion AI infrastructure plan in the US.

The project, promoted by President Donald Trump earlier this year, also includes three other US sites in New Mexico, Ohio, and one more Midwest location.

The Texas site spans 1,200 acres with eight buildings, each expected to house about 60,000 Nvidia GB200 chips. Oracle executives say it would be the world’s largest AI supercluster once finished.

The center will require around 900 megawatts of power and already employs 6,000 construction workers daily. Once operational, it is expected to create 1,700 permanent jobs.

However, constructions have already transformed the Abilene landscape, frustrating locals. The data centers’ cooling system uses an initial 1 million gallons of water from city reservoirs, which are at 50% capacity. It would need 12,000 gallons annually for each of its eight buildings.

Residents fear noise, bright lights, land loss, and stress on limited water and energy resources.

Business experts note that OpenAI’s swift expansion is a risky move as it may outpace usage. But CEO Sam Altman says ChatGPT remains too slow and limited. The new infrastructure aims to expand the chatbot’s capabilities and improve performance.