OpenAI (NASDAQ:OAI) is reportedly in advanced discussions to secure a long-term lease for a proposed 10-gigawatt data centre campus in Ohio, according to a report from The Information. Nvidia is said to be involved in supporting the project, which could become one of the largest artificial intelligence infrastructure developments ever undertaken.
The proposed facility would be built on federal land and, if completed as planned, would represent a significant expansion of the computing capacity required to train and operate next-generation AI models.
Project Could Carry a Price Tag of More Than $500 Billion
According to people familiar with the discussions cited by The Information, the total investment required for the campus could exceed $500 billion once fully developed.
The estimate reflects current costs for advanced semiconductors, power infrastructure, construction, labour and other essential components needed to support a project of this scale.
If realised, the development would rank among the largest data centre complexes globally and further highlight the growing demand for AI-focused computing infrastructure.
OpenAI Expected to Control Equipment Through Long-Term Lease
Under the reported structure, OpenAI would lease the facility and maintain control over the equipment installed within the campus rather than owning the underlying site.
The company would become responsible for lease-related payments once the project enters operational service. This arrangement could allow OpenAI to secure substantial computing capacity while limiting the upfront capital requirements associated with direct ownership.
The first phase of the project is expected to become operational in 2028, according to the report.
Growing Demand for AI Infrastructure
The discussions underline the increasing scale of investment required across the artificial intelligence sector as developers race to build larger and more capable AI systems.
Demand for computing power has accelerated significantly in recent years, driving major investments in specialised chips, data centres and energy infrastructure. Nvidia has emerged as one of the key beneficiaries of this trend through its dominant position in AI accelerator hardware.
Should the Ohio project proceed, it would represent another major step in OpenAI’s efforts to secure the long-term infrastructure needed to support future AI development and deployment.
More about OpenAI
OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research and technology company focused on developing advanced AI systems and products. The company is best known for its large language models and generative AI applications and continues to invest heavily in computing infrastructure to support increasingly complex AI workloads. Its strategic partnerships with leading technology firms have helped accelerate the deployment and commercialisation of artificial intelligence technologies worldwide.