'Will change the face of AI': Donald Trump joins Masayoshi Son and Sam Altman to unveil $500 billion Stargate AI project

In a landmark development for artificial intelligence (AI) and economic growth, the Stargate Project, a collaborative venture spearheaded by OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX, has been announced. The initiative aims to invest $500 billion over the next four years to establish state-of-the-art AI infrastructure in the United States.

The project, unveiled at a press conference attended by US President Donald Trump, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, will start with an immediate investment of $100 billion. It is projected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and is positioned as a cornerstone for maintaining US leadership in AI technology.

What is the Stargate Project?

The Stargate Project, as per the statement from OpenAI, has been structured as a new company. SoftBank would manage the finances of this company, including taking care of funding requirements, while Sam Altman-led OpenAI would be taking charge of operations. Masayoshi Son will serve as chairman. Key technology partners include NVIDIA, Microsoft, Oracle, and Arm.

The first phase of construction has begun in Texas, with other potential sites under evaluation across the country. The project’s primary goal is to develop infrastructure capable of supporting advancements in artificial general intelligence (AGI), which could have far-reaching implications across industries such as healthcare, security, and industrial automation.

Sam Altman described the project as “a critical step in building the necessary compute to advance AI technologies and address global challenges.”

Economic and Strategic Implications

Speaking at the event, President Trump characterised the initiative as pivotal for re-industrialising the US.

“This project ensures that the United States will remain the global leader in AI and technology, rather than letting competitors like China gain the edge,” he said. He emphasised the importance of domestic production, aligning the initiative with his administration’s earlier push for manufacturing within the country.

The project’s initial equity funders include SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX. The companies aim to leverage their combined expertise and resources to deliver a competitive edge for the US in AI development.

Masayoshi Son noted that his $500 billion commitment reflects confidence in the US’s potential for technological leadership.

“This decision was made because of the opportunities created by the administration and the need to solve real-world problems using AI,” he said.

Partnerships and Infrastructure

The project builds on longstanding collaborations. OpenAI and NVIDIA have worked together since 2016, and OpenAI has deepened its ties with Oracle and Microsoft in recent years. OpenAI plans to expand its use of Microsoft Azure as part of the Stargate Project, ensuring sufficient compute power for training advanced AI models.

Larry Ellison, Oracle’s CEO, highlighted the practical applications of AI in areas such as healthcare, pointing to its potential to enhance electronic health records and support better patient care. “This initiative demonstrates the value of public and private partnerships in driving innovation,” Ellison said.

A Focus on AI’s Potential

Altman also stressed the transformative potential of AI, particularly in healthcare. He outlined how advancements in AI infrastructure could enable breakthroughs in disease diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving global healthcare outcomes.

The project is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening national security by enhancing the US’s technological capabilities. Its backers emphasised the broader global benefits of advanced AI systems, from economic growth to tackling pressing societal issues.

Looking Ahead

With its ambitious scope and strong financial backing, the Stargate Project is poised to significantly influence the AI landscape.

As construction progresses in Texas and additional sites are finalised, the initiative underscores a collaborative effort to position the United States as a hub for innovation while addressing critical challenges in the global AI ecosystem.