OpenAI and SoftBank Group have entered a strategic partnership with SB Energy to build and operate next-generation AI data-centre campuses as part of Stargate. Each company will invest $500m (total $1bn) into SB Energy, which has been selected to deliver OpenAI’s 1.2 GW site in Milam County, Texas.

Key points

• Scale for AI growth: Multi-gigawatt campuses purpose-built for AI training and inference under the Stargate programme.

• $1bn equity commitment: $500m each from OpenAI and SoftBank to accelerate SB Energy’s build-out.

• Texas flagship (1.2 GW): SB Energy to build and operate OpenAI’s Milam County facility.

What’s new or how it works

The parties formed a preferred (non-exclusive) partnership model: OpenAI provides first-party data-centre design; SB Energy brings speed, cost discipline, and integrated energy delivery to stand up large, optimised AI campuses. This approach underpins Stargate’s rapid U.S. build-out.

Practical steps

For organisations planning AI infrastructure or major AI workloads:

1. Capacity planning: Map model/training roadmaps to MW/GW demand and site phasing; consider U.S. options for near-term capacity.

2. Energy strategy: Evaluate grid interconnect timelines vs. integrated energy/microgrid options seen in recent U.S. AI builds.

3. Vendor alignment: Separate facility developer/operator (e.g., SB Energy-style role) from compute stack decisions for speed and resilience.

FAQs

Q1: What is the main goal of the partnership?
To accelerate multi-gigawatt AI data-centre campuses and associated energy infrastructure for Stargate.

Q2: Where is the first major site?
Milam County, Texas (1.2 GW), to be built and operated by SB Energy for OpenAI.

Q3: How does this support Stargate?
It provides a repeatable build model—OpenAI design + SB Energy delivery—to scale U.S. AI compute quickly, with energy integrated from day one.

Summary

OpenAI and SoftBank’s $1bn commitment to SB Energy—including a 1.2 GW Texas site—marks a step-change in AI infrastructure capacity and speed under Stargate. Speak to Generation Digital to align your AI roadmap with infrastructure, energy and governance decisions.