OpenAI is scouring the U.S. for sites to build a network of huge data centers to power its artificial intelligence technology, expanding beyond a flagship Texas location and looking across 16 states to accelerate the Stargate project championed by President Donald Trump.

OpenAI’s Stargate project has broadened its horizons as it looks beyond Texas and across the US for sites to build a network of data centers.

Stargate, a joint venture between ChatGPT creator OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank, plans to invest up to $500 billion to help the United States stay ahead of China and other competitors in the global AI race.

A Stargate representative is visiting the Lone Star State next week to look at potential sites for data center projects through the joint venture.

ChatGPT maker OpenAI said on Thursday that it is evaluating U.S. states as potential artificial intelligence data center locations for its massive Stargate venture, framing the project as a matter of urgency for the United States to beat China in the global AI race.

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, announced on Thursday that the state of Texas has been chosen as the primary site for its upcoming Stargate project. The project, a collaborative effort with SoftBank (TYO:9984),