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Trump Launches $500 Billion AI Initiative On His Second Day In Office
![U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on AI infrastructure, next to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the Roosevelt room at White House in Washington, U.S. [PHOTO: COURTESY]](https://cioafrica.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/im-83535091.jpg)
In just his second day in office, U.S. President, Donald Trump, has announced a private sector investment of up to $500 billion to fund infrastructure for artificial intelligence, aiming to outpace rival nations in the business-critical technology.
Joined by tech leaders Larry Ellison of Oracle, Masayoshi Son of SoftBank, and Sam Altman of OpenAI, Trump announced plans to build AI campuses and data centers nationwide, with construction already underway in Texas. He said that ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI, SoftBank (9984.T), opens new tab and Oracle (ORCL.N), opens new tab are planning a joint venture called Stargate, which he said will build data centers and create more than 100,000 jobs in the United States.
“This is about securing America’s future,” Trump said, framing the initiative as a counter to China’s advancements in AI. He plans to use emergency powers to fast-track construction and streamline energy projects supporting the initiative.
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The executives gave Trump credit for the news. “We wouldn’t have decided to do this unless you won,” Son told Trump.
“For AGI to get built here,” said Altman, referring to more powerful technology called artificial general intelligence, “we wouldn’t be able to do this without you, Mr. President.”
It was not immediately clear whether the announcement was an update to a previously reported venture.
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In March 2024, The Information, a technology news website, reported OpenAI and Microsoft were working on plans for a $100 billion data center project that would include an artificial intelligence supercomputer also called “Stargate” set to launch in 2028.
Critics may question the feasibility of such a massive investment, particularly its reliance on private funding. However, with major commitments like SoftBank’s $100 billion investment, Stargate represents a bold gamble on America’s technological future.
As construction begins, the project’s ability to deliver on its promises will be closely watched, signaling whether the U.S. can lead in the next wave of AI innovation.