OpenAI is scouring the U.S. for sites to build a network of huge data centers to power its artificial intelligence technology, expanding beyond a flagship Texas location and looking across 16 states to accelerate the Stargate project championed by President Donald Trump.

Trump called Stargate a “resounding declaration of confidence in America’s potential” under his new administration.

OpenAI executives updated reporters on Thursday about the level of interest the company is seeing from states interested in building large data centers.

OpenAI is actively evaluating U.S. states for its massive Stargate AI data center initiative, aiming to secure Americas lead in artificial intelligence against China. Chris Lehane, OpenAIs chief global affairs officer,

(Reuters) -ChatGPT maker OpenAI said on Thursday that Texas will be the "flagship" data center site in the Stargate project it is building with SoftBank.