OpenAI considers rebranding data centers to 'AI compute campuses" as data center backlash intensifies — company reportedly sees 2028 presidential election becoming an 'AI issue'
OpenAI expects AI to become a major issue in the 2028 presidential election and is preparing a policy and public relations push after the U.S. midterm elections. The company is also promoting the term “AI compute campuses” for its data centers as it seeks to address concerns over electricity demand, water consumption, pollution and rising utility bills
OpenAI is reportedly planning a public relations campaign to change the way Americans perceive artificial intelligence, including renaming its data centers as "AI Compute Campuses," according to Axios. This comes ahead of the November 3 U.S. midterm elections and in preparation for the 2028 presidential race. Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, suggested that the midterms could serve as a preview of the debates around AI during the 2028 election.
He believes AI will become a significant issue for presidential candidates as the technology raises concerns about jobs, the economy, and the environment. The proposal to call these centers "AI Compute Campuses" has been in the works since August, as the company aims to promote safeguards for AI and address public concerns, which Lehane described as "speed limits."
The term "AI Compute Campus" was suggested as a way to better represent the infrastructure being developed for AI and to create long-term investments in computing, energy infrastructure, and skilled jobs. However, despite the name change, addressing public concerns and opposition to large data centers remains a challenge. A Redfin report from May found that 47% of Americans surveyed were opposed to new data centers in their communities.
Additionally, negotiations between developers and local authorities often take place behind non-disclosure agreements, leaving residents unaware of crucial project information. At least 19 Michigan municipalities have restricted new data center developments after OpenAI and Oracle's $16 billion Stargate project proceeded in Sanil township despite opposition.
Amazon also scrapped plans for four data centers in northern Virginia due to community pushback. OpenAI is not the only company attempting to redefine AI language. Former President Donald Trump suggested using the term "super intelligence" instead of "artificial intelligence" in 2019, while Nvidia CEO Huang has referred to data centers as "superintelligence factories" and Elon Musk renamed his AI company from SpaceXAI to SpacexSI.
Meta established Meta Superintelligence Labs in 2025, and Microsoft has a dedicated team working on superintelligence development. OpenAI's efforts to reshape the terminology surrounding AI will now face an even more challenging task, as communities will want answers to the raised issues. Lehane acknowledged that public scrutiny is part of the process, stating that communities should hold companies accountable and ensure they receive transformative benefits from these projects.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
