Nvidia and OpenAI to back multi-billion dollar investment in U.K. AI infrastructure and data centers

Nvidia and OpenAI are in talks to bankroll a massive artificial intelligence infrastructure push in Britain, a move that could reshape the country’s data center footprint, CNBC reported. Sources familiar with the matter say the investment, still under discussion, could ultimately be worth billions and will be tied to the buildout of new AI-focused facilities.

The deal is being explored with Nvidia, OpenAI, and cloud computing firm Nscale at the center of negotiations. While details remain under wraps, the announcement is expected as early as next week to coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to the U.K. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is slated to join that trip, underscoring the political weight behind the discussions.

“The two tech firms are discussing a sizable deal to support data center development in the country, which could ultimately be worth billions of dollars,” CNBC reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The development also confirmed earlier reporting from the Financial Times.

Officials declined to comment, and the companies have stayed quiet. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed no statement would be made, while Nvidia and Nscale did not respond to requests for comment.

The timing is significant. Governments worldwide are competing to attract American AI leaders to shore up their own infrastructure ambitions. The concept of “sovereign AI” — building domestic data capacity to run large-scale artificial intelligence systems without relying on foreign networks — has become a hot topic from Washington to Brussels to London.

Huang has been vocal about Britain’s potential. Earlier this year, he called the U.K. an “incredible place to invest” and praised its positioning as a technology hub during a panel with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “The U.K. is in a Goldilocks circumstance,” Huang said, pointing to its mix of talent, regulatory environment, and global connectivity.

If finalized, the deal would mark one of the largest private bets yet on British AI infrastructure. With Nvidia’s chips already fueling much of the world’s artificial intelligence boom and OpenAI’s software setting the standard for large language models, their joint backing could put the U.K. at the forefront of the sovereign AI race.