Google is getting ready to support a massive data center project in Texas that has been leased by Anthropic, as the race to build more AI infrastructure in the United States speeds up.
The project is being developed by Nexus Data Centers and could cost over $5 billion in its first phase. Reports say Google is expected to help finance the construction, while banks are competing to provide additional funding.
Anthropic has already secured a lease for a huge 2,800-acre site, and construction is underway. The facility is expected to deliver around 500 megawatts of power by late 2026, with the potential to expand to a massive 7.7 gigawatts in the future.
This project shows how serious the demand for AI computing power has become.
Google is also deepening its partnership with Anthropic beyond just infrastructure. The AI company has already been using Google Cloud services and plans to access up to one million TPUs (specialized AI chips) to train and run its models.
Another key detail is energy. The Texas site is located near major gas pipelines, which could allow it to generate its own power using gas turbines instead of relying fully on the public grid. This is important because AI data centers require huge and reliable energy supplies.
At the same time, Anthropic is dealing with a legal battle in the U.S.
A federal judge in San Francisco recently blocked the Pentagon from labeling the company a “supply-chain risk” while the case is ongoing. The judge, Rita Lin, said the government’s actions appeared unfair and possibly arbitrary.
The ruling doesn’t force the military to use Anthropic’s technology, but it does prevent broader penalties for now.
The dispute started after Anthropic refused to relax safety limits on how its AI could be used—especially in areas like surveillance and autonomous weapons.
At one point, U.S. military units reportedly used Anthropic’s AI during operations involving Iran, putting the company right in the middle of a growing debate about how advanced AI should be used in warfare.
In short, Anthropic is now dealing with two major challenges at the same time: building the massive infrastructure needed for AI growth, and navigating the political and ethical questions around how that technology is used.
