Nvidia Commits Up to $3 Billion to OpenAI's Ohio Data Center Development

Nvidia is making a significant investment in the future of artificial intelligence by committing up to $3 billion to support OpenAI’s Ohio AI campus, which is set to become one of the largest AI computing facilities ever constructed.

The investment will be directed towards SB Energy, a subsidiary of SoftBank that is developing the massive data center campus in Pike County, Ohio. The funding will be disbursed in two parts: $1.5 billion upon signing the agreement and another $1.5 billion contingent on SB Energy’s planned IPO.

The Ohio campus aims to achieve a remarkable 10 gigawatts of power capacity, with the first phase expected to go live around 2028. This ambitious project is part of a broader financing strategy that could exceed $500 billion, including substantial investments in power generation and infrastructure.

Nvidia's investment also includes a financial guarantee for OpenAI’s leasing capacity at the facility, which has been revised from an initial $250 billion to under $120 billion, focusing on OpenAI's operational needs.

SB Energy will operate the site under a 20-year lease with OpenAI, with the capacity rolling online in phases starting in 2028. The project is anticipated to create around 35,000 construction jobs and 2,500 permanent positions, transforming southeastern Ohio into a hub for AI development.

This strategic move allows Nvidia to secure a long-term customer relationship with OpenAI while also ensuring demand for its products, effectively integrating its hardware offerings with energy and infrastructure development.