OpenAI is considering rebranding data centers as “AI compute campuses” as part of broader communications plans around AI policy, according to Axios reporting published November 1.
Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, outlined several proposals the company is preparing ahead of the midterm elections on November 2. These include developing AI “speed limits,” helping people view AI as empowering in daily life, and pushing for U.S. involvement in global AI standards development.
Lehane told Axios he expects AI to be a central issue in the 2028 presidential election, calling the midterms “a bit of a movie trailer” for that contest.
On data center siting debates, which have prompted Amazon and Microsoft to stop using non-disclosure agreements in local government negotiations, Lehane said the conversation is “good and healthy.” He added that “communities should hold companies responsible and accountable so they really and truly get a transformative benefit from these projects.”
The rebranding proposal comes as data centers face public opposition in some communities. Whether OpenAI will implement the terminology change remains unclear.