Texas Stargate AI Data Center Reports 14 Emergency Calls

Construction injuries mount at flagship AI facility

A massive AI data center under construction in Abilene, Texas has generated 14 emergency response calls since December 2024, raising questions about worker safety during the accelerated buildout of what's intended as a cornerstone of American AI infrastructure.

The Stargate project, backed by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank as part of a $500 billion AI initiative, has seen multiple serious workplace accidents in 2025, according to Taylor County records reviewed by Time. Three workers sustained significant leg injuries in separate incidents — one pinned beneath an excavator, another struck by falling glass panels, and a third injured in a ladder fall.

Truck driver Daniel Gonzalez told Time he suffered a concussion when struck by a chain while unloading equipment. He has filed suit against two contractors, alleging negligence and systemic safety failures. "They were cutting corners," Gonzalez said, describing the site as "sloppy" with violations of safety regulations, inadequate staffing, and poor communication.

Workers describe pressure and inadequate conditions

Two electricians working at the site reported substandard daily conditions to Time, including handwashing stations that sometimes lacked basic supplies. They said managers characterized cold drinking water as "a luxury, not a right."

"While they're breaking records, they're harming a lot of people, physically and mentally," one worker told Time. Another said, "You feel disposable."

The companies involved disputed characterizations of widespread problems. Oracle described the Abilene site as "far safer than most" and said its partners maintain "a safety-first culture" with worker well-being as a priority during AI infrastructure expansion. DPR Construction stated there is "no credible evidence" of systemic safety issues.

Why it matters

The Abilene facility represents the type of rapid AI infrastructure expansion happening across the United States. When construction timelines compress to meet aggressive deployment schedules, worker safety protocols, training programs, and emergency preparedness can lag behind the pace of physical development.

AI data centers place extraordinary demands on local infrastructure, requiring massive electricity supplies and substantial water resources for cooling systems. While AI technologies can help utilities manage grid loads and integrate renewable energy more efficiently, the infrastructure buildout carries significant downsides: increased energy consumption, higher water usage, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and potential cost increases for residential customers if grid upgrades are passed through utility rates.

The tension between speed and safety at high-profile projects like Stargate will likely intensify as companies race to build the physical foundation for AI capabilities that require unprecedented computing power.

These details were first reported by Time in their investigation of the Abilene construction site.