OpenAI raises data center spending forecast to $750 billion（約120兆円） through 2030

OpenAI announced a substantial increase in its projected capital spending on data centers, raising expectations to $750 billion（約120兆円） through 2030, according to The Wall Street Journal. The move comes as the artificial intelligence company prepares for an initial public offering and pursues a broader expansion into cloud computing services. As part of this buildout, OpenAI unveiled its first data center in which it serves as the lead developer and designer—a significant step toward controlling its own infrastructure rather than depending entirely on third-party cloud providers.

The scale of the investment reflects the computational intensity required to train and operate large language models (AI systems that understand and generate human language), as well as the broader acceleration of US AI infrastructure development. However, the expansion is encountering unexpected resistance from communities and policymakers. New York recently became the first state in the country to enact a statewide moratorium on data center facilities, citing concerns that likely include energy consumption and environmental impact. In Kansas, a Republican senator reported to Semafor that his constituents are strongly opposed to data center projects in their region.

Public sentiment appears to be shifting against data centers more broadly. A new Politico poll revealed that more Americans now oppose the idea of data centers being built near their communities than support them—a reversal from polling conducted just six months earlier. This swing in public opinion suggests that while OpenAI and other tech companies are ramping up capital spending on infrastructure, they will increasingly face regulatory scrutiny, community organizing, and political resistance as they attempt to site and build these facilities across the country.

OpenAI's $750 billion（約120兆円） capital plan through 2030 signals the company's confidence in its growth trajectory ahead of a potential public offering, while also reflecting the enormous infrastructure appetite of modern AI systems. The announcement of its first proprietary data center—where OpenAI is the lead developer and designer—marks a shift toward vertical integration of the compute layer, a departure from reliance on cloud providers alone. This move aligns with the company's expansion into cloud computing services and its need to secure dedicated, optimized facilities for its operations.

Yet the timing reveals a growing tension between AI industry ambitions and public tolerance. New York's statewide moratorium, the first of its kind in the country, and vocal opposition in Kansas suggest that local communities are raising the cost of expansion beyond capital expenditure. The Politico poll indicating a reversal in public sentiment within six months—from net support to net opposition for nearby data centers—suggests that opposition to these facilities may become a significant regulatory and political hurdle as the buildout accelerates.

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!