A highly ambitious $500 billion artificial intelligence initiative backed by SoftBank and OpenAI is encountering early-stage hurdles as the companies attempt to align visions, secure partners, and manage the sheer scale of the project.
The venture, dubbed by some insiders as “Project Olympus,” aims to reshape the future of global AI infrastructure by creating a network of advanced data centers powered by cutting-edge chips and next-generation software platforms. The scale of the plan rivals the largest infrastructure projects in tech history—and its success could determine the next phase of AI innovation.
However, despite high-profile backing and initial excitement, the effort is reportedly struggling to gain momentum. Industry sources say coordination challenges between key stakeholders, evolving AI hardware requirements, and geopolitical concerns have slowed early development. There are also ongoing questions about how the project will be financed, with estimates ranging from $300 billion to $500 billion over the coming decade.
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son, known for his bold bets on the future of technology, has described the project as essential to ensuring global AI leadership. OpenAI, for its part, is believed to view the project as part of a broader strategy to scale its computing capabilities beyond current limitations.
Both companies have remained largely silent on the status of the project, though internal discussions are said to be continuing. As AI demand accelerates and competition intensifies among U.S., Chinese, and Middle Eastern tech giants, the stakes for Project Olympus—and its potential to shape the next generation of artificial intelligence—remain as high as ever.
