SoftBank is making a significant $3 billion investment in Ohio to establish advanced manufacturing capabilities for OpenAI’s data centers, transitioning from a financial backer to a crucial player in AI infrastructure. The former electric-vehicle factory in Lordstown, which SoftBank acquired for $375 million, will be transformed into a hub for modular, pre-assembled data centers essential for rapid deployment. This initiative aligns with OpenAI’s ambitious Stargate project, a $500 billion multi-site program aimed at creating a nationwide AI network for enhanced compute capacity. Production is projected to begin in early 2026, coinciding with surging compute needs as OpenAI scales its operations. This pivot also reflects SoftBank’s strategic shift away from Nvidia investments toward building essential AI infrastructure, supporting U.S. industrial policy goals for domestic manufacturing. Overall, SoftBank is positioning itself as a key player in the emerging sector of physical AI infrastructure manufacturing.
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