The $500 billion Stargate project, funded by SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle, is considering expanding its AI infrastructure to the UK, according to a report from the Financial Times. The project is exploring international locations to build data centres as it aims to advance artificial intelligence capabilities.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to foster innovation through relaxed regulations, make public data more accessible for researchers, and create designated zones for data centres. These measures aim to position the UK as a leading AI “superpower.”
The UK, alongside Germany and France, is becoming an attractive option for Stargate, with a focus on increasing data centres’ access to electricity. Sources familiar with the matter told the Financial Times that these European countries are emerging as key contenders for Stargate’s expansion.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, in a February statement, expressed interest in bringing a Stargate-like AI initiative to Europe. OpenAI has already established offices in major European cities, including London, Paris, Brussels, and Munich.
The Stargate project was introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump in January as a private sector initiative aimed at advancing AI infrastructure to outpace global competitors. The surge in investor interest in AI, driven by the growing use of chatbots and advanced AI technologies, has further fueled the project’s potential.
Neither OpenAI, Oracle, nor SoftBank responded immediately to Reuters’ request for comment.
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