OpenAI's European Stargate plans shrink as Microsoft and Google take over capacity
OpenAI's European Stargate gamble just collapsed. Microsoft and Google are now controlling the continent's AI compute capacity.
Why it matters
OpenAI's infrastructure strategy is fracturing under competitive pressure. As Microsoft and Google consolidate European data center capacity, OpenAI's independent build-out plans are being forced to scale back—signaling a fundamental shift in who controls the compute layer underpinning the AI economy.
The key facts
6 to knowOpenAI planned Stargate facility in Narvik, Norway
Sam Altman expressed confidence in July 2025 on European expansion
Plans have 'largely evaporated' by April 2026
Microsoft and Google acquiring/controlling European data center capacity
Competitive consolidation of AI infrastructure by cloud giants
Strategic retreat from independent European compute buildout
Go to the source
The Decoderthe-decoder.com
Publisher excerpt: Back in July 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed confidence that the conditions were right to bring Stargate to Narvik, Norway. Just a few months later, that optimism has largely evaporated.