OpenAI spearheads one of Europe's biggest data centers with 100,000 Nvidia chips

Core Insights - OpenAI is launching its first AI data center in Europe, branded as Stargate, in Norway through a joint venture with Nscale and Aker [1][4] - The data center aims to deliver 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026 and will operate entirely on renewable energy with a capacity of 230 megawatts [2][3] - The initial phase of the project involves a $1 billion investment from both Nscale and Aker, focusing on a 20MW capacity [3] Investment and Infrastructure - The Stargate project in Norway is part of a broader initiative that includes a $500 billion investment over four years to build AI infrastructure [3] - The location in Kvandal, Norway, is chosen for its abundant hydropower and low local electricity demand, which supports the sustainability goals of the project [3] Global Expansion and Sovereign AI - OpenAI is expanding its Stargate initiative globally, with plans for a campus in the UAE announced earlier this year [4] - The European push for "sovereign AI" emphasizes the need for data centers and AI workloads to be processed within Europe, aligning with OpenAI and Nvidia's business strategies [4][5] Industry Trends - Nvidia's GPUs are becoming the standard for data centers due to their efficiency in handling large AI workloads, which is critical for the success of projects like Stargate [2] - The call for increased AI infrastructure in Europe has been echoed by industry leaders, including Nvidia's CEO [5]