OpenAI may rebrand its data centers as “AI compute campuses”

OpenAI, the US artificial intelligence company, is preparing a broad public relations campaign to begin after the US midterm congressional elections on Tuesday. According to Axios, one idea under consideration is renaming data centers “AI compute campuses.” TechCrunch notes that data centers are deeply unpopular, so a new label could shift how they are perceived.

Aim of the campaign

Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, told Axios that the midterms are “a bit of a movie trailer” for what will be seen in 2028. He expects AI to be “the issue” in that year's presidential election. The source says Democrats appear likely to win back the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.

The company wants to influence the debate about AI. Lehane outlined several proposals:

• developing AI “speed limits”;
• finding ways for people to see AI as something that empowers them in daily life;
• having the US take a role in shaping global standards;
• rebranding data centers as “AI compute campuses.”

Disputes over data centers

Lehane called the conversation about data centers “good and healthy.” The debate has led Amazon and Microsoft to say they will no longer use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in negotiations with local governments.

“Communities should hold companies responsible and accountable so they really and truly get a transformative benefit from these projects,” Lehane said.