Barely inaugurated, Donald Trump announced this Tuesday the launch of a gigantic investment plan in AI, with 500 billion dollars at stake. In 1era line: Open AI, Oracle and Sofbank. Already in the crosshairs: China.

Barely back in the Oval Office, Donald Trump made a big impact on Tuesday evening by announcing a gigantic investment program in artificial intelligence (AI). This project, called " Stargate ", although it has nothing to do with science fiction anymore, predicts a financial commitment – private – of at least 500 billion dollars over four years, aimed at positioning the United States as a world leader in this strategic area and, incidentally, relegating China to the spectators' bench, despite a certain lead and the strong involvement of its large companies.

Stargate Project: An Unprecedented Ambition

Re-elected president, Trump is first and foremost a businessman, and he wants to remind the world of this. He has clearly been preparing for this 2nd mandate, launching without further delay a new war on his favorite terrain: business. We are no longer talking about customs duties or territorial expansion but about a great technological battle, or "tech war", that of Artificial Intelligence, America's field of excellence to which he aims to open the stargate. And with his power as president, he has already begun to eliminate the potential obstacles to this ambition.

Unveiled on Tuesday, the Stargate program is therefore based on both a massive private investment of 500 billion dollars by 2029, and on three main pillars:

  1. Construction of gigantic data centers : these infrastructures, each with an energy capacity of 5 gigawatts, are essential for storing and processing the massive data generated by energy-intensive AI technologies, particularly generative AI. The first projects are already underway in Texas.
  2. Massive job creation : More than 100,000 positions should be created immediately, Trump insisted, primarily in the construction, information technology and energy sectors.
  3. Strategic partnerships: The project is supported by three major players :
  • OpenAI, pioneer of generative AI.
  •  Oracle, a cloud computing specialist.
  •  SoftBank, a Japanese technology investment giant. The latter has already announced an immediate release of 100 billion dollars to launch the project.

Favorable economic and geopolitical context

The announcement comes as artificial intelligence has become a key sector of global competition. By 2023, global investments in AI were estimated to be around $200 billion., A a figure that could double by 2030 According to some projections, with Stargate, the United States is seeking to catch up with China and consolidate its technological sovereignty.

Donald Trump stressed that this money could have been invested in other countries, particularly China, but that it will now be used to strengthen the American economy. This protectionist positioning is part of a broader strategy aimed at repatriating capital and jobs to American soil.

Opportunities but also ethical and ecological challenges

AI is already at a pivotal position in its evolution: appropriation by businesses, development in new sectors, technological progress... So it's time to shift into second gear!

  • Opportunities :

– Technological leadership : Stargate could propel the United States to the forefront of AI innovation, with applications ranging of the medicine (personalized vaccines) to cybersecurity.

– Economic impacts : In addition to direct job creation, the project should stimulate related sectors such as real estate, energy and construction.

  • Challenges :

– Environment: The construction and operation of data centers requires a massive energy consumption, lifting ecological issues at a time when the green transition is crucial. But we already know the option chosen by Trump: “drill, baby, drill”… .

– Regulation: Trump’s recent reversal of AI regulatory orders passed under Joe Biden raises concerns about the risks of misuse or uncontrolled use of these technologies. Europe will also have its say in this regard, provided that it speaks with one voice.

Clearly, Donald Trump, probably inspired by Elon Musk and his ilk, is banking on this innovative technology to revitalize the American economy while consolidating the United States' role as a technological leader. But for this bet to be successful, it will be necessary to respond to the environmental and ethical challenges that accompany this revolution. And anticipate the responses of China, which, it is already certain, will not remain on the sidelines for long.