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Project STARGATE begins: Trump partners with OpenAI, Softbank and Oracle, promising massive AI expansion
By ljdevon // 2025-01-22
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In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tech and political worlds, former President Donald Trump has announced a $500 billion investment in a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) initiative dubbed "Stargate." The project, a joint venture involving tech giants Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank, aims to build a network of massive data centers across the U.S., starting in Texas. While proponents hail it as a leap forward in technological innovation, critics warn it could lay the groundwork for an unprecedented surveillance state. The announcement, made during a high-profile meeting at the White House, has reignited debates about the ethical implications of AI and the potential for its misuse by future administrations.

Trump’s $500 Billion “Stargate” AI initiative paves way for centralization of surveillance and control

• What Happened: Trump unveiled a $500 billion plan to expand U.S. AI infrastructure through a public-private partnership called "Stargate." • Who’s Involved: Tech leaders from Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank are key players, with additional investors expected to join. • Why It Matters: The initiative could revolutionize AI capabilities but raises concerns about privacy, surveillance, and the potential for future misuse. • Where it will begin: Initiative will begin with construction of massive data center in Texas. The Stargate project is being framed as a bold step toward securing America’s dominance in the global AI race. According to sources, the initiative will begin with the construction of a massive data center in Texas, with additional facilities planned nationwide. The $500 billion investment, spread over four years, will fund cutting-edge AI infrastructure, including advanced computing systems and data storage capabilities. With AI, intentions might be virtuous to start, but the potential for abuse is heightened, especially as the centralized project uses censorship-based models that engineer misleading narratives into the AI. Tech leaders, including Oracle’s Larry Ellison, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, and SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son, have thrown their weight behind the project. In a statement, Ellison called Stargate “a transformative opportunity to position the U.S. as the undisputed leader in AI.” Altman echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the potential for AI to drive economic growth and innovation. However, the project’s scale has raised practical concerns. Data centers are notorious for their high energy and water consumption, and critics argue that the U.S. is ill-prepared to meet the demands of such a massive infrastructure expansion. But this might be the least of issues, because the Trump Administration is poised to invest in energy. The real issue lies in the AI programming itself, which could be weaponized by future administrations to exploit demographics, promulgate propaganda, and interfere in elections.

The risks of AI centralization

While the Stargate initiative promises to advance AI capabilities, it has also sparked fears about the potential for misuse. Critics argue that the project could create a centralized digital system ripe for exploitation by future administrations. Today, Trump is paving the way for the infrastructure of the future ‘algocracy,’ where everything and everyone is tagged, tracked, and measured. This concern is not without historical precedent. Policies like the USA Patriot Act, enacted under President George W. Bush, expanded government surveillance powers in ways that led to government overreach that violated the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution. Similarly, Operation Warp Speed, launched during the COVID-19 scandal, accelerated mRNA interventions, but also raised questions about the concentration of power in the hands of a few tech and pharmaceutical companies, as they exploited populations and caused further harms.

The technocratic vision: a future of surveillance and mind control?

Beyond the immediate concerns about surveillance and control, the Stargate project has also reignited debates about the role of AI in governance. Some technocrats have speculated that AI could eventually replace human leaders altogether, creating a world where algorithms dictate policy and decision-making. This vision of an “algocracy” has been met with both fascination and alarm. Proponents argue that AI could eliminate human error and bias, leading to more efficient and equitable governance. Critics, however, warn that such a system could strip individuals of their autonomy and create a dystopian future where every aspect of life is monitored and controlled. While AI systems may lead to more logical determinations and bring about a more fair society, the systems can be engineered to be more biased and lead to manipulations that further harm and discriminate against individuals throughout society. If the AI systems are dominated by controlling, corporate narratives, society could be handcuffed, knowledge suppressed. On the bright side, AI could welcome an expansion of knowledge, paving the way for innovations and subsequent changes throughout society and may even unleash a new era of wellness and achievement. The Stargate initiative represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of artificial intelligence. On one hand, it offers the promise of technological advancement, economic growth, and the potential for positive changes to bureaucracies, systems, and individual awareness. On the other, it raises profound ethical questions about privacy, power, and the future of human autonomy. Sources include: Substack.com CBSNews.com Substack.com
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