San Francisco, CA – September 24, 2025 – OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has articulated a vision of unparalleled scale, announcing a groundbreaking plan to construct an “AI factory” capable of producing a gigawatt of new AI infrastructure every single week. This ambitious initiative, dubbed “Abundant Intelligence,” aims to dramatically accelerate the pace of AI development by ensuring an almost limitless supply of computing power, a goal that represents one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the tech industry’s history.
Altman’s vision for a weekly “gigawatt” output signifies the creation of enough AI infrastructure to power approximately 876,000 households annually, on a continuous, week-over-week basis. He acknowledges the immense difficulty of this undertaking, stating that “the execution of this will be extremely difficult” and will require years of innovation across all levels of technology, from chips to power generation to robotics. Despite the challenges, Altman believes this effort could become “the coolest and most important infrastructure project ever.”
The ‘Stargate’ Initiative: Building the Foundation
A cornerstone of this grand strategy is the “Stargate” project, a massive, multi-billion dollar endeavor involving key partners Oracle and SoftBank. This initiative is focused on building colossal AI “super-hubs” across the United States. The flagship facility, already under construction in Abilene, Texas, is a testament to the scale of this vision. The project has announced plans for five additional data center sites nationwide, aiming to collectively deliver close to 7 gigawatts (GW) of AI capacity. Ultimately, the Stargate project targets a total of 10 GW of data center capacity, backed by a commitment of up to $500 billion. The newly announced locations include sites in Shackelford County, Texas, and Milam County, Texas, alongside Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Lordstown, Ohio, and an undisclosed Midwestern location.
This expansion is progressing ahead of schedule, with OpenAI and its partners aiming to secure the full $500 billion, 10 GW commitment by the end of 2025. The sheer magnitude of the Stargate project is expected to create over 25,000 onsite jobs, injecting significant economic activity into the communities where these facilities are being established.
Strategic Alliances and Investment Fueling Ambition
Altman’s bold plans are bolstered by substantial financial backing. A recent revelation that Nvidia will invest up to $100 billion in Altman’s ventures, securing access to roughly 10 GW of AI-focused data centers, underscores the immense commercial interest and strategic importance of this infrastructure build-out. This collaboration represents a critical piece of the puzzle, enabling OpenAI to scale its operations at an unprecedented pace.
Oracle and SoftBank are integral partners in the Stargate initiative. Oracle, in particular, has committed to developing significant Stargate capacity, entering into an agreement valued at over $300 billion to develop up to 4.5 GW over the next five years. SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son, chairs the project, taking on substantial financial responsibility while OpenAI manages operational aspects. Other key technology partners include Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Arm, providing critical components and expertise for the project.
The Energy Conundrum: A Gigantic Hurdle
Despite the technological advancements and financial commitments, the most significant challenge facing Altman’s “Abundant Intelligence” vision is energy. The operational demands of modern AI infrastructure are staggering, requiring vast amounts of electricity that can rival the consumption of entire cities. The projected energy needs for AI data centers are escalating rapidly, with estimates suggesting they could account for a substantial portion of global electricity consumption in the coming years. The strain on existing power grids and the need for clean, reliable energy sources present a critical bottleneck that must be addressed for these ambitious plans to materialize.
Reshaping the Future of AI and Infrastructure
Altman views the energy challenge not as a roadblock but as an opportunity to fundamentally rethink and rebuild global infrastructure for the AI age. By focusing on building substantial AI infrastructure within the United States, Altman aims to ensure American leadership in artificial intelligence, a sector where other nations are rapidly advancing. The success of these initiatives could not only accelerate the development of more powerful AI models capable of tackling complex global problems, such as curing diseases or providing personalized education, but also redefine the relationship between technology and energy consumption.
As current news buzz indicates, the development in Texas and across the U.S. represents a pivotal moment. OpenAI’s massive infrastructure push, spearheaded by Sam Altman’s audacious “gigawatt-a-week” factory concept and the expansive “Stargate” project, sets the stage for an AI-driven future. However, the successful realization of this vision hinges on overcoming substantial energy and grid capacity hurdles, transforming how we power the digital world.
