OpenAI considers calling its data centers 'AI compute campuses'
The idea is one of several proposals OpenAI's global affairs chief described for a public push planned for after the midterm elections
OpenAI is preparing a public relations push for after Tuesday's midterm elections, and one idea under discussion is to rebrand data centers as "AI compute campuses," according to TechCrunch, citing a report by Axios.
TechCrunch reported that Axios described the effort as a "PR blitz." Its headline says OpenAI "might" adopt the new name, which suggests the change has not been settled.
The proposals came from Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, who spoke to Axios. According to TechCrunch, Lehane discussed several ideas besides the new name. They include developing AI "speed limits," finding ways to help people see AI as something that empowers them in their daily lives, and pushing the United States to take a role in developing global standards.
Lehane told Axios that the midterms will be "a bit of a movie trailer for what you're going to see in 2028." He said he expects AI to be "the issue" in that year's presidential election, TechCrunch reported.
The timing matters because, as TechCrunch put it, data centers are "deeply unpopular." The outlet also reported that Democrats seem likely to win back the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.
Local opposition to data centers has already affected how big tech companies work, according to TechCrunch. The outlet said the debate has pushed Amazon and Microsoft to say they will no longer use nondisclosure agreements in their negotiations with local governments.
Lehane described the conversation around data centers as "good and healthy," TechCrunch reported. He also said communities should expect real returns from these projects.
“Communities should hold companies responsible and accountable so they really and truly get a transformative benefit from these projects.”Chris Lehane, chief global affairs officer, OpenAI
Much is still unclear. The TechCrunch report does not say whether OpenAI has decided to use the "AI compute campuses" name, or when the public push would begin beyond being planned for after the election. It does not explain what AI "speed limits" would mean in practice or how they would work.
The report also does not describe how OpenAI plans to promote global standards, or what specific benefits, if any, the company would offer communities where data centers are built.
This story rests on a single report by TechCrunch, which itself relies on Axios. OpenAI's own statements beyond those quoted by Lehane were not included in the TechCrunch article.
