- The Wisconsin “Stargate” site forms part of a $500 billion plan to deliver up to 10 GW of AI computing capacity.
- Energy, water and transparency concerns shadow the project’s promise of jobs and innovation.
What happened: Port Washington chosen for next-gen AI campus
OpenAI and Oracle announced they will jointly develop a massive AI data centre campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The facility, known as “Stargate,” is part of a $500 billion expansion plan aimed at providing the next generation of computing infrastructure for AI model training. Oracle will supply the cloud backbone, while Vantage Data Centers will oversee design and operations.
The announcement later confirmed in a joint press release. Located roughly 40 kilometres north of Milwaukee, the project is expected to benefit from Wisconsin’s tax incentives and recent grid-infrastructure upgrades. Local officials said the development could bring thousands of construction and technical jobs over the coming years, positioning the state as a key node in America’s AI build-out.
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Why it’s important
By choosing Wisconsin, Oracle and OpenAI are signalling that the next wave of AI infrastructure will not be confined to coastal cities. The new hub could reinforce Oracle’s national network and give OpenAI steady access to computing power. Even so, the sustainability picture is unclear. Critics worry about heavy energy consumption and the state’s limited freshwater reserves, while labour experts warn that the permanent job count may end up much lower than early estimates.
Execution will be the ultimate test. Regulators and investors will watch whether the consortium can balance speed with accountability—ensuring reliable power, transparent permitting, and genuine local benefit. With energy demand and data-centre scrutiny rising nationwide, Stargate’s success could define the next phase of AI infrastructure policy in the United States.
