On January 9, 2026 (local time), a groundbreaking announcement was made as OpenAI and SoftBank revealed their plan to each pour $500 million into SB Energy, a subsidiary under the SoftBank umbrella. This combined investment of $1 billion is earmarked to bolster the development of OpenAI's cutting - edge artificial intelligence infrastructure platform, 'Stargate'.

In the context of this collaborative venture, SB Energy is tasked with the crucial role of constructing and overseeing the operations of a 1.2 - gigawatt data center in Milam County, Texas. This state - of - the - art facility is projected to commence operations in 2026.

Moreover, the trio of OpenAI, SoftBank, and SB Energy will embark on a joint exploration of innovative models for data center construction. By fusing OpenAI's prowess in design with SB Energy's specialized knowledge, they aim to elevate the efficiency of AI infrastructure to new heights.