OpenAI drops NDAs with officials for data centers

OpenAI announced community commitments for its data center projects, including no NDAs with public officials, full payment of its electricity and infrastructure costs, and a published jobs and hiring record. The move follows midterm elections in which voters strongly opposed data center expansion, and comes after Amazon dropped NDAs with government agencies in October.

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OpenAI's pledge shows that voter backlash against data centers is now shaping how hyperscale projects are developed. Paying the full cost of power and grid infrastructure raises OpenAI's cost of building capacity, but it lowers the political risk of permitting delays. Because Amazon made a similar move in October, other developers will find it harder to keep using NDAs with local officials. Utilities, grid-equipment suppliers and on-site power vendors may see more demand as developers pay directly for infrastructure. Developers that do not follow may face tougher local scrutiny and slower approvals.