OpenAI has backed a new set of measures the company says will give communities a greater say in data center development, according to a policy announcement shared with POLITICO.
The framework shows how one of the world’s leading artificial intelligence labs is attempting to reconcile public opposition to the infrastructure with Silicon Valley’s need to keep building data centers to support artificial intelligence development.
In its new proposal, aimed at local, state and federal officials, the AI giant said state utility providers should require large electricity customers to cover the costs they add to the grid and protect other customers if a project falls through. It would also allow providers to throttle power to data centers during periods of high demand.
Under the blueprint, developers would also face public reporting requirements for facilities’ water and energy usage, noise and potential job openings.
The proposal would also narrow, but not eliminate, the circumstances in which developers can require public officials to sign nondisclosure agreements — a point of contention for some communities who have been left in the dark on local developments due to the use of NDAs.
OpenAI also unveiled new commitments to communities near its data centers, including a promise to pay for the full cost of energy usage and infrastructure, prioritize closed-loop cooling systems that use less water and work with local unions to fill jobs at the data centers. The company also pledged to invest in community improvement projects of the residents’ choosing.
OpenAI has been well aware of the public backlash against their facilities. The company previously promised to invest in community improvement projects selected by local residents. They also announced plans to rebrand data centers as “compute campuses,” an apparent acknowledgement of the widespread public dislike for the infrastructure’s longtime name.
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