Stargate live updates: OpenAI's Altman says 'people are right to be anxious' about AI

OpenAI and Oracle held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday for the $16 billion Stargate data center campus in Saline Township, Michigan, marking progress on a project that began construction three months earlier. During the event, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed concerns about AI risks, stating that 'people are right to be anxious' about the technology and stressing the need for industry collaboration to ensure humans retain control in the AI race with China. Oracle CEO Clay Magouyrk confirmed the project is on schedule, though he noted that internal data center components could add $30 billion to $40 billion in costs. The Stargate initiative was announced in January 2025 by President Donald Trump alongside Altman, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison, with a pledge to invest $500 billion over four years in U.S. AI infrastructure. Altman previously signaled massive investment plans, including a potential $1.4 trillion commitment over eight years, but OpenAI has since scaled back expectations, targeting $600 billion in total compute spending by 2030. The shift aligns with OpenAI’s pivot ahead of a potential initial public offering, as reported in February. Related Digital Chairman and CEO Jeff Blau acknowledged local concerns, including water usage and allegations that protesters opposing the data center may be linked to China. Blau emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing community issues while proceeding with construction, with one building’s exterior nearly complete.