New terminology and community agreements
OpenAI is pursuing a plan to rename its US data centers “AI Compute Campus.” As opposition from local residents grows over AI data centers' enormous electricity consumption, environmental impacts and rising electricity bills, the company has moved to address public opinion by proposing a new name alongside community support and grid protection measures.
Axios reported on November 1, local time, that OpenAI plans a major push on AI policy and communications immediately after the November 3 midterm elections. The move reflects its assessment that regulation and congressional scrutiny of the AI industry could intensify as the prospect of Democrats retaking the House of Representatives increases.
The company plans to use “AI Compute Campus” instead of the existing term “data center” to emphasize the nature of the infrastructure differently. It intends to highlight the facilities as long-term local investments in computing and energy infrastructure and skilled jobs, rather than simply large facilities that consume electricity.
“The name AI Compute Campus better describes the scale and role of the infrastructure we are building for AI,” a company spokesperson said. “It is a long-term investment in computing and energy infrastructure and skilled jobs.”
The company will also strengthen cooperation with communities. It plans to develop community agreements that give residents meaningful participation in decisions on project plans and community benefits during construction of new data centers, and to propose related state legislation. The aim is to share the economic benefits of data center construction with local residents and address electricity supply and infrastructure costs.
Chris Lehane, OpenAI's head of global policy, said communities should be able to hold companies accountable and gain meaningful, transformative benefits from projects. Lehane described the discussion surrounding data centers as “a healthy and welcome conversation” and “democracy at work.”
Grid support and electricity costs
OpenAI also announced measures to address practical electricity challenges. The central feature of its “Grid Protectors” program, unveiled that day, is to reduce electricity use when data centers put pressure on the grid, helping ensure reliable power for local households and businesses.
When electricity demand surges, campuses will reduce their power consumption and support the grid using on-site generation equipment, energy storage system installations and batteries as needed. The company plans to agree in advance with utilities and regulators on how much and how quickly electricity use can be reduced in each region.
A data center to be built in Effingham County, Georgia, is the first pilot project. OpenAI has agreed to cover all electricity supply and infrastructure costs required for the facility. Its agreement with Georgia Power also includes flexible electricity demand reduction measures of up to 1,000 megawatts (MW). This is equivalent to the average electricity demand of approximately 700,000 households.
The company says the program is intended to prevent data centers from causing local electricity bills to rise. “Households and small businesses should not have to pay to subsidize the electricity demand of compute campuses,” it said. “Large computing facilities should pay the costs they create and contribute to the operation of the power systems they depend on.”
The communications strategy comes as opposition to data centers in the United States becomes a political issue. There are concerns that data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity and water and can cause noise, air pollution and higher electricity bills. A poll also found that 54% of Americans said AI data centers negatively affect the environment.
Broader AI policy and the presidential election
OpenAI is preparing policy proposals addressing not only data centers but also the broader social effects of AI technology. It plans to pursue “AI speed limits” that establish mandatory safeguards for powerful AI models, and to propose worker support, expanded education and training, and startup assistance in response to AI-driven changes in employment. It also plans to argue that the United States should lead international AI standards based on democratic values.
“People must remain in control of this technology,” Lehane said. “AI should be built for people and by people, and people should have more control over how the technology affects their lives and communities.”
The policy strategy also looks ahead to the 2028 US presidential election. OpenAI expects AI to become a central issue in that election and intends to encourage candidates to present specific policy positions on technological development, safety, jobs and community issues.
“AI will be a major issue in the 2028 presidential election,” Lehane said, describing the midterm elections as an indication of what would happen in 2028.
Original Korean article: aitimes.com
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
