OpenAI has unveiled a new global initiative, OpenAI for Countries, aimed at collaborating with national governments to build AI infrastructure grounded in democratic values. The announcement was made by the artificial intelligence research company on 7 May 2025.
Under this new programme, OpenAI intends to work closely with governments to help expand data centre capacity and adapt its AI products to reflect the linguistic, cultural, and regulatory contexts of each country. The initiative is designed to support countries aspiring to develop advanced, locally-relevant AI capabilities.
“Our Stargate project, an unprecedented investment in America’s AI infrastructure announced in January with President Trump and our partners Oracle and SoftBank, is now underway with our first supercomputing campus in Abilene, Texas, and more sites to come,” the company stated.
The organisation added that it had received numerous requests from nations interested in creating similar AI infrastructure projects. “We’ve heard from many countries asking for help in building out similar AI infrastructure—that they want their own Stargates and similar projects. It’s clear to everyone now that this kind of infrastructure is going to be the backbone of future economic growth and national development.”
OpenAI expressed its commitment to helping countries shape the development and use of AI in ways that reflect democratic values. “We want to help these countries, and in the process, spread democratic AI, which means the development, use and deployment of AI that protects and incorporates long-standing democratic principles,” the company said.
As part of the initiative, OpenAI will support partner nations in establishing secure, in-country data centres. These facilities will ensure data sovereignty and enable the safe, customised deployment of AI technologies. The programme will also provide locally adapted versions of ChatGPT, intended to enhance public services such as healthcare, education, and governance, by aligning with each country’s language and societal norms.
OpenAI has emphasised that security will remain a priority, with continued investment in both physical and digital safeguards to protect its AI systems. Additionally, partner nations will be invited to contribute to the broader Stargate Project, bolstering the United States’ leadership in AI and fostering a globally interconnected network for democratic AI development.
The financing of the programme will be shared between OpenAI and the respective national governments. “With local as well as OpenAI capital, together we can seed healthy national AI ecosystems so the new infrastructure is creating new jobs, new companies, new revenue, and new communities for each country while also supporting existing public- and private-sector needs,” the company said.
OpenAI plans to launch the initiative with up to ten country or regional partnerships during the initial phase, with the long-term goal of expanding it to a global scale.