President Donald Trump's administration announced a historic $500 billion investment to develop artificial intelligence technologies through a new business entity called “Stargate,” in collaboration with OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank.
Among his first actions in office, United States President Donald Trump announced an unprecedented investment of up to 500 billion dollars for the development of technologies related to artificial intelligence (AI) through a new business entity called “Stargate”.
This project arises as a partnership between technology giants such as OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank, and promises to cement the American nation as a global leader in the sector.
The White House detailed that “Stargate” will begin its development with an initial investment of $100 billion for the construction of data centers and electricity generation in Texas, with plans to expand the budget by up to five times this figure in the coming years.
“It's big money and high-quality people,” Trump declared during the announcement, noting that this project is “a resounding statement of confidence in the potential of the United States” under his administration.
What is “Stargate” and what does it mean for AI?
The new consortium includes OpenAI, known for its popular ChatGPT tool, which revolutionized the field of AI with its abilities to answer complex questions and perform basic business tasks. Oracle, for its part, brings its expertise in databases and enterprise technology solutions, while SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son, offers financial support and innovative global technology visions.
Alex Neuman, producer of the @VidaDigital space and recognized technological expert in the region, explained in an interview with the Voice of America that this initiative aims to “develop infrastructure for artificial intelligence, generate new jobs and strengthen the United States' position as a leader in technology.”
Furthermore, he emphasized that projects like this seek not only to improve the country's competitiveness, but also to attract foreign investments and foster a broader and more diverse technology industry.
The risk of market concentration
However, the project also raises questions about possible monopolies. Neuman warned that there is “concern that this infrastructure and initiatives will remain exclusively in the hands of a select group of those close” to the US government.
“It is important that good competition is encouraged and that the entire process is transparent. Regulations must prioritize the ethical use of these technologies and guarantee the sustainability over time of an investment as considerable as the 500 billion dollars that have been projected” , he added.
The fear of excessive market concentration is not unfounded. In 2024, during the Joe Biden administration, OpenAI sent a letter to the Department of Commerce, highlighting the lengthy and complex planning and permitting processes for energy infrastructure projects required to support AI.
The need for a regulatory framework
Another critical point in the expansion of artificial intelligence is the lack of a clear regulatory framework in the United States. While Europe has made significant progress in establishing regulations that guarantee the safe and ethical use of these technologies, the United States still lacks specific laws that establish limits and safeguards in this regard.
“It is true that we have to use all these tools with certain limits and that governments have to put a heavy hand on this. And they cannot make all of this be used freely,” emphasized Daniel del Valle, another analyst of the technology sector consulted. for the VOA.
“The regulatory challenge is one of the most critical points. This includes aspects related to ethical and security risks in the use of these technologies, especially when we talk not only about personal data, but also how this data is used to improve quality of life, not only in the United States, but throughout the world,” said Neuman.
United States versus China
The technological competition between Washington and Beijing also occupies a central place in the discussion. Neuman noted that “China has advanced very rapidly in recent years in technologies such as artificial intelligence, while in the United States, the focus on corporate profitability over innovation has slowed progress.”
Despite these challenges, the expert pointed out that the United States has the potential to regain its leadership in technological innovation: “We hope that this innovative spirit, which allowed the United States to stand out in the space race and other key moments in its history, will re-emerge and allow face these current challenges”.
A “golden age” under Trump
During the announcement, Masayoshi Son, founder and owner of SoftBank, described this project as the beginning of “a golden age” for the United States, taking up Trump's own phrase upon assuming the presidency again. Larry Ellison, president of Oracle, highlighted that data centers “are already under construction” and suggested that “this infrastructure could have medical applications,” such as the development of personalized vaccines to treat diseases such as cancer.
Alex Neuman also stressed that initiatives like “Stargate” must translate into benefits for society. “We hope that these initiatives will not only translate into growth in the Gross Domestic Product of the United States, but also into an improvement in the quality of life of citizens,” he advocated.
The labor impact of artificial intelligence
A recurring theme in discussions about AI is its impact on employment. Neuman emphasized that “artificial intelligence has the potential to generate new job positions and employment opportunities. It is essential that it is not seen only as a tool to reduce jobs, but as an engine to expand them.”
“Stargate” could mark a before and after in the Artificial Intelligence industry, not only because of its economic magnitude, but also because of the social and regulatory implications it entails, analysts stated.