AI datacenter

An AI datacenter (or AI factory) is a specialized data center facility designed to support the high-performance computing (HPC) workloads required for the training and inference of artificial intelligence models.^[1] Unlike traditional data centers that prioritize general-purpose central processing units (CPUs) and storage for web hosting or cloud services, AI data centers are architected around massive clusters of graphics processing units (GPUs) or tensor processing units (TPUs).^[2] These facilities are characterized by extreme power density per rack (often exceeding 50–100 kW), advanced liquid cooling systems, and low-latency, high-bandwidth networking fabrics to facilitate parallel processing.

As of 2025 there is massive build out of AI datacenters.^{[3] [4]} This massive build out is causing a resurgence in nuclear power plants.^[5] According to article 5.2 trillion dollars of AI investments are needed between 2025 and 2030.^[6] In 2025 Google spent $95 billion on capex, with much of that for AI datacenters.^[7][8] In 2025 U.S. tech companies spent $370 billion on capex with much of that spending for AI datacenters.^[9] OpenAI wants to create a process for building a new datacenter every week.^[10][11]

By 2026, AI data centers are projected to consume over 90 TWh of electricity annually.^[12] In the U.S. energy use is growing by 33% per year attributed to AI datacenter growth.^[13] A startup company was created to harness nuclear energy for the AI datacenter boom.^[14][15]

Cornell University study estimates that the AI datacenter build out between 2024 and 2025 will contribute between 24 and 44 metric tons of addition CO2.^[16]

The doubling of RAM and NAND prices has been attributed to the AI datacenter boom.^{[17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27]}

The Trump administration is promoting the build out of AI datacenters.^[28] U.S. president Trump hints at deregulation to promote AI datacenters.^[29][30] There is local opposition.^{[31] [32]}

OpenAI

OpenAI along with Oracle, and SoftBank announced plans for five new AI datacenter sites, using 6.5 gigawatts of capacity and over $400 billion in investment over the next three years.^[33] This aims to handle ChatGPT’s 700 million weekly users and train future AI models. The five new sites will include three locations developed through an OpenAI and Oracle partnership: Shackelford County, Texas; Doña Ana County, New Mexico; and a midwest location. These sites, along with a 600-megawatt expansion near the flagship Stargate site in Abilene, Texas, can deliver over 5.5 gigawatts of capacity, which means the computers on site will be able to draw up to 5.5 billion watts of electricity when running at full load. The companies expect the sites to create over 25,000 jobs.