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The explosive growth of generative AI has led to a skyrocketing demand for the computing resources necessary to develop and run AI models. Amid this surge, news that OpenAI is moving to invest in its own data centers (DCs) has captured significant attention. This move signals a change not just in AI development structure, but also a shift in the leadership of IT infrastructure itself.

This development is set against the backdrop of strategic investments by NVIDIA in OpenAI. NVIDIA, which controls the supply of GPUs, is forging closer ties with AI development companies to secure computational power as AI demand expands. By owning its own data centers, OpenAI appears to be aiming for end-to-end optimization, from model development straight through to deployment and operation.

The Shift of Power: From Hyperscale Clouds to AI Companies

Historically, the data center landscape has been dominated by hyperscale cloud vendors like Amazon (AWS), Microsoft (Azure), and Google Cloud. These companies deploy hundreds of megawatts of DC capacity globally, utilizing proprietary server designs and specialized cooling technologies. For instance, AWS is expanding its self-built facilities in Northern Virginia and Singapore, while Microsoft is growing its footprint in Ireland and Japan. Google is also continuing its expansion across Europe and the U.S.

The move by AI model developers like OpenAI to own their data centers represents a new trend. Previously dependent on the environments provided by cloud vendors, the evolution of AI models is driving a greater need for AI-specific designs that prioritize high-density computing and cooling efficiency. Going forward, it is anticipated that the specialized requirements of OpenAI, not the general specifications of the hyperscale clouds, will increasingly take precedence.

Establishing “Compute Sovereignty” as the Next Competitive Edge

Many cloud vendors adopt a “hybrid strategy”: they initially utilize leases or co-location agreements, then transition to expanding self-designed facilities as they mature. OpenAI is likely following this path, aiming to optimize availability, efficiency, and cooling performance through its own DCs. This is not merely an infrastructure investment; it is a critical step toward establishing “compute sovereignty”—a factor that will determine future AI competitiveness.

As lower-cost AI models, particularly from Chinese contenders, begin to emerge, OpenAI is aggressively strengthening its unique technological foundation. This deep commitment, extending beyond the performance of the AI model to the very infrastructure that runs it, is poised to fundamentally reshape the industry structure. With the main driver of data center investment potentially shifting from cloud providers to AI companies, the future of next-generation infrastructure is now squarely in the spotlight.