Two unidentified companies have proposed building artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in North Dakota, with each project potentially costing up to $125 billion. This massive investment could transform the state’s tech infrastructure, marking it as a critical hub for AI-driven operations.

During an August meeting with the North Dakota Public Service Commission, Commissioner of Commerce Josh Teigen revealed the companies’ plans, noting that discussions have involved both him and Governor Doug Burgum. The proposed AI data centers could start with 500 MW to 1 GW projects, with a possibility to scale up to 5-10 GW in the future.

While the companies’ identities remain undisclosed, it’s speculated that they are trillion-dollar enterprises, with firms like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google being potential contenders. Microsoft has shown interest in similar projects, having previously explored a $100 billion AI supercomputer campus dubbed ‘Stargate’​.

Governor Burgum’s background as a former Microsoft executive adds credibility to these speculations.

North Dakota’s current data center market is relatively small, but the state has seen a 37% surge in electricity demand from data centers over the past four years, according to the Energy Information Administration.

The state’s ample energy production, especially as the third-largest crude oil producer in the U.S., makes it an attractive location for such energy-intensive projects​.

BitcoinVersus.tech is not a financial advisor. This media platform reports on financial subjects purely for educational and entertainment purposes only. Do your own due diligence and contact a professional financial advisor for any advice on how to invest your money.