OpenAI Now Calls Its Data Centers 'Compute Campuses' Amid Local Backlash

At a glance

OpenAI has started calling its AI server facilities "compute campuses" instead of "data centers." The change appears aimed at improving its image as residents grow angry about data centers. The term was used in a new announcement for a site in Georgia.

Key points

1. 1

   Of the announcement's roughly 900 words, "data center" appears only twice, while "compute campus" is used often.

2. 2

   In a July poll, 70% of Americans said they opposed having such a facility built near them.

3. 3

   Residents are unhappy about noise, water and electricity use, rising electricity bills, and nondisclosure agreements.

4. 4

   Competitor Anthropic said it will pay the costs of connecting power itself and will not sign nondisclosure agreements with government officials.

Why it matters

AI server facilities directly affect local residents' electricity bills and living conditions, so it is worth asking whether changing the name actually solves the problem.