Microsoft and OpenAI are reportedly considering the construction of a $100 billion supercomputer campus, dubbed ‘Stargate,’ aimed at advancing artificial intelligence models. According to The InformationThe Information, the project is in its nascent stages, with a projected launch in 2028 and a two-year expansion plan potentially requiring up to five gigawatts of power to operate at full capacity.
Given the substantial power demands, alternative energy sources such as nuclear power are being explored, echoing Amazon’s recent acquisition of a data center site adjacent to a nuclear facility in Pennsylvania. This move also coincides with Microsoft’s strategic hires in nuclear technologies, reflecting a heightened interest in small modular reactors (SMRs) for data center operations.
The hardware specifications for Stargate, including the choice of chips—potentially future Nvidia GPUs, AMD GPUs, Microsoft’s AI chips, or others—are yet to be finalized. Additionally, advancements in rack density and cooling capabilities are requisite, surpassing Microsoft’s current infrastructure capabilities.
In terms of networking, OpenAI is purportedly exploring a transition from Nvidia’s proprietary InfiniBand cables to Ethernet cables.
While discussions surrounding the project have been ongoing since last summer, Microsoft is still deliberating on the location within the US and whether the supercomputer will be housed in a single building or distributed across multiple sites on a unified campus.
If Stargate comes to fruition, it would mark the fifth phase of collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI. Currently in their third phase, the companies have jointly developed large supercomputers to facilitate the creation of AI models such as ChatGPT. Microsoft has also launched its AI tool, CoPilot.
Preceding the Stargate project, plans are underway for a Phase 4 supercomputer in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, with operations slated to commence in 2026. Microsoft’s recent approval for a $1 billion expansion at its existing campus in Mount Pleasant, coupled with additional land acquisitions, suggests the potential for the site to accommodate a $10 billion supercomputer.
