OpenAI pledges to pay for data center power as Democrats float nationwide moratorium after midterms
OpenAI moves to ease concerns over soaring electricity costs and local impacts of AI data centers as Democrats push for tougher restrictions following sweeping midterm victories.
OpenAI unveils new data center pledges as Democrats push for tougher restrictions
OpenAI is promising greater transparency and community involvement in its massive data center expansion as Democrats push to restrict new facilities following sweeping victories in Tuesday's midterm elections.
The ChatGPT maker announced Thursday that it will stop using non-disclosure agreements with public officials during negotiations over future data center sites, while giving local residents access to construction plans and information about potential traffic, noise and lighting disruptions.
The new policies, which OpenAI says have been in development since August, are aimed at building public trust as communities across the country raise concerns about the economic and environmental effects of the artificial intelligence boom.
"We need to do a better job of really communicating to people, to local communities, about why data centers can be beneficial to them," OpenAI President Greg Brockman said Wednesday.
The announcement comes after Democrats flipped governorships in Texas, Georgia and Ohio, with winning candidates pledging to pause new data center permits and tighten construction regulations.
Of the 41 data center-related ballot measures decided this week, all but one went against data centers, according to Ballotpedia.
OpenAI is also emphasizing the potential economic benefits of its projects. Chris Lehane, the company's chief global affairs officer, said one planned facility in southern Ohio is expected to support 2,500 long-term jobs with an average annual salary of $80,000.
Lehane argued that AI data centers would generate ongoing employment because their computing equipment must be replaced or upgraded every three to five years.
The company faces growing pressure to convince skeptical communities that the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure will deliver lasting local benefits rather than simply increasing demand for electricity and other resources.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Apple slashes employee AI spending limits as tech giant looks to rein in soaring costs: report
Apple is tightening the purse strings on artificial intelligence — even as the tech giant pushes employees to embrace the technology across its operations.
The iPhone maker quietly reduced daily AI spending limits for some engineers from $300 to $200 last month and is considering further cuts that could bring those allowances down to $100, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the changes.
Some employees outside engineering could see their daily AI budgets slashed to as little as $25, although workers who need higher limits would be able to request exemptions from senior leadership.
The restrictions target spending on AI "tokens," the units of data processed by models such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude and Google's Gemini. More complex tasks, including writing and debugging software, can burn through large numbers of tokens and drive up costs.
The belt-tightening comes as Apple's AI expenses continue to climb. The company reported a 32% increase in research and development spending in fiscal 2026, driven partly by higher AI and infrastructure costs, according to the outlet.
The changes have reportedly sparked mixed reactions internally, with some employees viewing the previous allowances as excessive while others worry the cuts could signal broader restructuring or potential layoffs.
Apple is not alone in scrutinizing AI spending. Microsoft, Tesla, Uber and Meta have also introduced restrictions or budgets aimed at controlling employee use of AI tools, according to the report.
Apple declined to comment to Bloomberg on the changes.
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