OpenAI announces new commitments to data centers that have drawn public criticism

OpenAI published a statement on the subject following the growing reaction to artificial intelligence data centers in the USA recently.

In the statement, where a series of commitments were made and the data centers were defined as "computing campuses", it was stated that the local people will be contacted regarding these centers and a report will be given to the public about the progress of the work every year.

In the statement, it was promised that all costs related to the electricity and necessary infrastructure used in each future data center will be paid and that financial guarantees will be offered to protect other customers in case the project is postponed or canceled before large-scale expenditures begin.

Regarding resource usage, which is one of the biggest points of criticism, it was stated that a water plan will be prepared for each data center and priority will be given to closed circuit or cooling systems that consume less water. Accordingly, it was also stated that water and electricity consumption will be published on the basis of each data center.

The statement also stated that "confidentiality agreements" will not be signed with public officials, and limited protection measures that include only security information, trade secrets or proprietary information will be preferred.

Controls on artificial intelligence are expected to be tightened

In the US, technology companies' multibillion-dollar investment plans for artificial intelligence infrastructure faced strong voter support for attempts to restrict and ban data center projects in local votes held simultaneously with the midterm elections on November 3.

There are factors behind voters' reaction to data centers, such as the facilities' consumption of electricity and water, straining local grids, increasing electricity bills and causing environmental impacts, including noise. That's why more and more people are opposing planned data center projects and calling for stricter regulations on existing facilities.

The Democrats' gain in power in Congress indicates that federal controls on artificial intelligence companies and large technology companies may increase.

Congressional investigations into the artificial intelligence sector and calls for company executives to testify are expected to increase in the new period.