The President of the United States, Donald Trump, revealed an ambitious plan to transform the country into a global reference in artificial intelligence (AI). During an event at the White House, Trump announced the creation of Stargate, an entity that will receive an investment of up to $500 billion and strategic partnerships with major companies such as OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank. The project will be headquartered in Texas and promises to generate 100,000 jobs in the coming years, in addition to driving advances in the sector.
A study published by consulting firm McKinsey indicates that the AI market could add up to $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with the United States leading advances in the field. The research highlights that the large-scale adoption of AI technologies could increase productivity by up to 40%.
According to Alan Nicolas, an expert in business artificial intelligence and founder of Academia Lendár[IA], the numbers are attention-grabbing, but government investments must be viewed with caution. ‘Projects like Stargate could become a milestone for technological advancement, but they also bring ethical and operational challenges that require heightened attention. If managed well, AI can democratize access to resources and improve the lives of millions, but it’s important to have more context on how data will be managed,’ he emphasizes.
Strategies for infrastructure and energy
Stargate will begin constructing high-capacity data centers, one of the pillars of the project, which aims to meet the growing demand for computational power. Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, highlighted that Texas was strategically chosen due to its easy access to energy resources.
Another relevant point is the financial partnership with SoftBank, led by Masayoshi Son, which will manage the project’s initial capital. Additionally, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, will be responsible for Stargate’s technological operations. The White House also announced plans to expand electricity generation in neighboring states, such as Oklahoma, to keep up with infrastructure growth.
Despite the promises, experts warn about the risks of uncontrolled automation. Studies indicate that AI has the potential to replace up to 25% of current job functions by 2035. According to Nicolas, this risk must be addressed with specific measures. ‘The challenge lies in creating professional retraining strategies so that those impacted by changes can transition to new sectors. Collaboration between the government and private sector will be essential in this process,’ he explains.
Global competition and regulation
The expansion of Stargate comes amid intense competition between the United States and China in the artificial intelligence sector. While the U.S. invests in infrastructure and technology, the Chinese government is rapidly advancing in applied research and exporting AI solutions.
Still, regulation remains a point of debate, especially considering that legislative changes in various countries are still in early stages. Trump’s announcement included the repeal of a measure by former President Joe Biden that regulated the sector, creating safety standards for AI-generated content. Critics argue that the lack of clear rules could create uncertainties for both businesses and end-users.
For Alan Nicolas, adequate regulation will be indispensable to balance technological advances with the protection of people’s rights. ‘Artificial intelligence must be developed with transparency and responsibility. Without a solid legal foundation, we risk widening inequalities and further concentrating power in large corporations,’ he concludes.
With high investment and support from tech giants, the Stargate project aims to position the United States as a leader in the AI sector, but regulatory and social challenges remain an essential part of this story.
