OpenAI weighs calling data centers ‘AI compute campuses’

OpenAI is considering or preparing to propose calling its data centers “AI compute campuses,” a change intended to improve public perceptions of the facilities as opposition to their energy and environmental impacts draws political attention. The reported effort is part of a broader post-election communications and policy push, though accounts differ on whether the company has confirmed plans to use the new name or is still weighing it. An OpenAI spokesperson told Business Insider the company plans to propose “compute campuses,” saying the term better describes the scale and role of infrastructure being built for artificial intelligence. Other reporting says OpenAI has not directly announced the plans and describes the label as under consideration. The reports trace the proposal to Axios, so their repetition does not amount to independent confirmation of a finalized rebrand. The campaign is expected to follow the November 3, 2026, U.S. midterm elections. OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, is overseeing the company’s policy work, according to reports. He has described public debate about AI and data centers as likely to continue beyond the election cycle. The...