ChatGPT maker OpenAI expands the project that Elon Musk said Sam Altman has no money for to Europe

ChatGPT maker OpenAI is expanding its "Stargate" data centre project to Europe. The Microsoft-backed AI startup has announced that it will inaugurate a $1 billion facility in Norway next year. This move follows scepticism from Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who had previously claimed OpenAI "don't actually have the money" for its ambitious AI infrastructure plans. This remark from Musk came in January when OpenAI announced the $500 billion initiative for developing cutting-edge AI infrastructure for the first time. At that time, the world’s richest man also added that "SoftBank has well under $10B (billion) secured. I have that on good authority." Replying to Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said: "I genuinely respect your accomplishments and think you are the most inspiring entrepreneur of our time." Despite Musk’s doubts, OpenAI announced a Stargate facility in the UAE in May and has now confirmed its first such facility in Europe.In a blog post, OpenAI has confirmed that it is partnering with developer Nscale Global Holdings and investment group Aker ASA for the Norwegian centre in Narvik. The facility will be named Stargate Norway and is planned to deliver 230MW of capacity, with plans to expand by an additional 290MW. The facility aims to employ 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs by the end of 2026, with plans to expand significantly in the years ahead.“This is one of the most ambitious AI infrastructure investments in Europe to date. Narvik’s abundant hydropower, low-cost energy, cool climate, and mature industrial base make it an ideal location to deliver large-scale, sustainable AI capacity. The facility will run entirely on renewable power and is expected to incorporate closed-loop, direct-to-chip liquid cooling to ensure maximum cooling efficiency. Additionally, excess heat from the GPU systems will be made available to support low-carbon enterprises in the region,” the company said in its blog post.In a video presentation (seen by Bloomberg), OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said: “Infrastructure like this is really important and unlocks a ton of potential for developers, researchers, scientists, and startups all across Norway and Europe.”Meanwhile, in the same video, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also confirmed that the facility will run on Nvidia's advanced GB300 Superchip processors, which will be connected via OpenAI’s high-speed NVLink network technology.OpenAI also said that it has recently signed an MoU with the UK Government to advance AI adoption, partnered with Estonia to introduce ChatGPT in secondary schools, and submitted proposals to join EU AI Gigafactories consortiums.