OpenAI kicks off charm offensive to change voters' view of data centers

San Francisco, November 5 - Democrats' recent triumphs in US midterm elections have been interpreted by some as a rejection of tech industry plans to construct data centers nationwide. To address these concerns, OpenAI has unveiled new policies aimed at fostering trust with local communities and demonstrating the potential benefits of data centers.

The AI lab announced it will abandon non-disclosure agreements with public officials during negotiations and site discussions, while still safeguarding proprietary information. Residents will now have access to construction plans and the potential impacts on traffic, noise, and lighting. OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, emphasized that these centers would generate ongoing employment opportunities, with hardware requiring updates every three to five years.

He also highlighted that OpenAI's upcoming facility in southern Ohio is projected to generate 2,500 long-term jobs, with an average annual salary of $80,000. Notably, data center opponents experienced significant electoral successes in Texas, Georgia, and Ohio, where Democrats won governorships by promising to suspend new data center permits and tighten construction regulations.

Additionally, 41 data center-related ballot measures were approved by voters this week, all opposing data centers, according to Ballotpedia. Shares of data center operators and power companies, major beneficiaries of the AI boom, declined on Wednesday, as investors speculated that the Democratic victory might result in stricter permitting, higher costs, and a slower construction pace.

OpenAI President Greg Brockman expressed the urgency of effectively communicating the advantages of data centers to local communities. The company, along with other tech firms, has devoted the past two years to cultivating relationships with the Trump administration to influence federal AI policy. Notably, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman contributed $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee and attended his second inauguration.

Lehane, with extensive Democratic Party experience, suggested that his background, including serving as a top lawyer and spokesperson during the Clinton administration and press secretary for Vice President Al Gore, would aid OpenAI in addressing skepticism from some Democrats.