OpenAI has just expanded its Stargate initiative with its agreement to rent an additional 4.5 gigawatts of data center power from Oracle Corp. in the United States. The scale and timing of the deal are just the latest exhibits to underscore the massive computational demands of advanced AI products.

Stargate — OpenAI’s project with partners including Oracle and SoftBank Group Corp. to invest $500 billion in AI infrastructure — was first announced in January at the White House. So far, Oracle has developed a massive data center in Abilene, Texas, for OpenAI alongside development partner Crusoe.

Announced by President Donald Trump in January 2025, Stargate is a $500 billion generative AI infrastructure venture in the US, led by OpenAI, Oracle, Japanese telecoms giant SoftBank, and MGX, an investment firm based in the United Arab Emirates. OpenAI intends to operate the data centres. Oracle will provide server infrastructure and leasing.