What began as a Cold War-era CIA experiment exploring the power of the human mind has now transformed into one of the most ambitious artificial intelligence infrastructure projects in history. Project Stargate tells two very different stories: one focused on psychic espionage, and another on building the world’s largest AI supercomputing network.

The CIA’s Psychic Stargate Project

During the 1970s, the U.S. Army and CIA launched Project Stargate. They wanted to investigate extrasensory perception (ESP) and “remote viewing” as potential tools for intelligence gathering. At Fort Meade, Maryland, researchers and military personnel conducted thousands of experiments, hoping to discover whether psychic abilities could provide national security advantages. By 1995, the program ended after producing mixed and inconclusive results. Even so, the original Stargate left behind a legacy of curiosity, skepticism, and fascination with the untapped potential of the human mind.

The Modern Stargate: A $500B AI Infrastructure

Fast forward to 2025, and Stargate emerges once again, this time as a massive private-sector AI infrastructure project. Leaders announced a $500 billion investment aimed at expanding OpenAI’s computational power. The plan involves building large-scale data centers across the United States. For instance, an initial $100 billion already funds two facilities in Abilene, Texas, scheduled for completion in late 2025. These centers will power the training and operation of next-generation AI models.

Who Is Involved?

SoftBank and OpenAI co-lead the Stargate AI project, while technology partners such as Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle, and Arm contribute key expertise. The first round of funding comes from SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX. OpenAI oversees operations, while SoftBank manages financial support. Together, they also collaborate with land, energy, architectural, and engineering partners to design and maintain the infrastructure.

Goals and Benefits

• Position the United States as a global leader in AI innovation.
• Create up to 100,000 new jobs across industries tied to construction, technology, and energy.
• Accelerate advancements in AI-driven healthcare, finance, defense, and education.
• Lay the groundwork for the re-industrialization of the U.S. economy through next-generation technology.

Challenges and Concerns

Although the potential of the Stargate AI initiative is vast, the project faces real obstacles. Large-scale data centers consume massive amounts of energy and water, which raises environmental and sustainability questions. Governance poses another challenge. OpenAI and its partners openly acknowledge the risks of bias, misinformation, and misuse of AI at scale. Policymakers must therefore determine how best to regulate and oversee these powerful systems.

Furthermore, reports in mid-2025 revealed friction between SoftBank and OpenAI regarding data center locations and contracts. While initial plans aimed to build multiple facilities, leaders have since adjusted the target to completing at least one major data center by the end of 2025. Still, the long-term goal remains ambitious: build 10 gigawatts of capacity worldwide.

Global Expansion

Beyond the U.S., Stargate pushes forward internationally through the OpenAI for Countries program. New partnerships in the UAE and Norway already highlight the project’s global reach. These initiatives focus on national AI platforms, renewable energy, and integration with local industries. By expanding abroad, Stargate shows its broader vision: not just infrastructure, but an AI ecosystem that strengthens democratic nations worldwide.

Project Timeline

Why It Matters

Both Stargates — the psychic research program of the 20th century and the AI infrastructure project of the 21st — illustrate humanity’s drive to push boundaries. The first explored the mysteries of the mind, while the second stretches the limits of technology. Together, they tell a story of ambition, innovation, and the enduring quest for power and understanding.