OpenAI to press ahead with data-center expansion despite midterm sweep, CFO tells CNBC

OpenAI pledges to continue US data-center expansion despite midterm election results, says CFO Sarah Friar. In an interview with CNBC, Friar emphasized that the company remains focused on meeting customer demand and building relationships with communities. OpenAI has been actively addressing concerns over tightening scrutiny of data centers, following Democratic victories that could impact the industry.

The company will no longer use non-disclosure agreements with public officials for future site negotiations and will provide residents with construction plans and potential effects. The midterm elections saw Democratic candidates, like Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, make data-center regulation a key campaign promise. Despite the concerns, tech giants like Google and ByteDance are still committed to expanding their data-center operations.

Alphabet-owned Google announced a $17 billion investment to build its first data center in Wyoming, while ByteDance is considering expanding a project in northeastern Brazil. Meanwhile, OpenAI is raising additional capital to counter the market turbulence affecting AI stocks and to support its fundraising efforts, with the company reporting a 70% quarter-over-quarter growth in business.