Nvidia Eyes $250 Billion Investment in Ohio OpenAI Data Center

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Nvidia is negotiating a $250 billion financing deal to support OpenAI’s construction of a massive 10-gigawatt data center in Ohio, with total project costs estimated at $500 billion and involving SoftBank’s SB Energy. This investment underscores the expanding collaboration between technology companies and international partners, while raising concerns about Nvidia’s growing influence and the future regulatory landscape of AI development in the U.S.

Nvidia is reportedly negotiating a financing package worth $250 billion to support a large-scale OpenAI data center project in southern Ohio. The potential deal, which would help OpenAI lease a site capable of supporting up to 10 gigawatts of power, represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in the artificial intelligence sector, with total project costs estimated at around $500 billion. The project is being developed by SB Energy, an energy subsidiary of SoftBank, led by Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son.

According to reports, Nvidia has been in advanced discussions to lease the site for several weeks. Other major technology companies, including Anthropic, Microsoft, and Google, have also engaged with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the project. The initiative is part of a broader effort connected to international trade agreements, with Japan committing $33 billion to construct a natural gas power facility on federal land in the U.S. This facility will be operated by SoftBank’s SB Energy and is tied to Japan’s tariff agreement with the United States.

The talks have prompted concerns within the financial community about Nvidia’s expanding influence in the AI industry. Some investors, including Goldman Sachs traders and Michael Burry, known for his role in the 2008 financial crisis, have warned that Nvidia’s involvement in financing and holding stakes in companies that use its chips could create circular financial dependencies that may present risks to the sector’s stability.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently expressed public support for so-called open-source AI models, a stance that has drawn attention given the broader geopolitical debate surrounding AI technology. In a letter posted on the social media platform X, Huang and executives from companies such as Microsoft, Meta, IBM, and Palantir Technologies formed the Open Secure AI Alliance. The group urged lawmakers to avoid early regulatory restrictions on open AI models, arguing that premature limitations could hinder competition and encourage innovation to shift abroad, notably toward countries like China.

This position contrasts with that of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who has publicly opposed the open-source approach, advocating instead for more controlled, proprietary AI development.

The Ohio data center project signifies a significant strategic investment for both the Biden administration and the Trump administration’s trade agreements, highlighting the growing intersection of technology, energy infrastructure, and international cooperation. The outcome of Nvidia’s potential financing deal and the development of the 10-gigawatt facility will likely have far-reaching implications for the AI industry’s future trajectory in the United States.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.