OpenAI는 반(反)데이터센터 여론이 거세지자 NDA(비밀유지계약)를 폐지하고 지역사회 투명성을 높이겠다고 약속했으며, 이에 따라 Compute Campus Policy와 National Community Compact를 공개했다.

OpenAI has detailed its community pledges for locations where it plans to build and operate data centers in the US.

The move to reset its public image comes after voters came out overwhelmingly against data center projects and in favor of moratoriums. In midterm exit polls, 56 percent of voters said AI data centers were a crucial or major factor in their congressional vote decision.

OpenAI has published a Compute Campus Policy and a National Community Compact laying out its vision for facilities. However, the commitments cover only "sites owned and operated by OpenAI," so it is not clear whether they extend to the majority of compute it leases or develops with partners.

For the owned and operated data centers, OpenAI has promised to "listen and learn." The company said it will give residents clear, regular opportunities to provide input on project development. A point of contact will be designated for residents to reach out to throughout the life of the campus.

More concretely, OpenAI said it will no longer use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with public officials, with a "narrow" exception for legitimate security information, trade secrets, or proprietary or competitively sensitive information.

The company will publish site-specific plans covering the temporary effects of construction, including independent noise studies, water usage, energy costs, sustainability, and economic impacts. OpenAI will also publicly report progress on its commitments.

Earlier this month, the company unveiled its "Grid Protectors Program," in which it pledged to try to reduce electricity demand from its future data center campuses when the grid is under strain. It has also signed a national Ratepayer Protection Pledge. In its new pledges, OpenAI added a promise to keep the grid steady with load smoothing and to supply power back to the grid where needed.

It will also provide insurance against stranded assets in case a project is delayed, reduced, or canceled.

Less clear were the company's promises on community investments, where it said it "could support housing stability," "could invest in education," and "could expand access to capital, business advising, technology, and new markets" for local businesses.

OpenAI has also promised to help communities plan for an influx of new tax revenue, a promise that appears geared more toward highlighting that potential source of money than toward a concrete commitment.

This week, OpenAI also began rebranding its data centers as "compute campuses," in hopes of differentiating them from other data centers.