OpenAI CEO addresses staff after US midterm data centre backlash

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman held an internal Q&A after the US midterm results, where employees asked about data centres and public sentiment on AI. Altman acknowledged concerns over water use and said he understood why people may not want to live near data centres, The Wall Street Journal reported. The meeting came as election results showed widespread opposition to data centre development, with candidates promising freezes winning governor races in Texas, Georgia, Ohio and Michigan. All but one of 41 data centre-related ballot measures voted against the facilities, and analyst estimates suggest up to 35% of planned US construction is now at risk. OpenAI has responded by publishing a National Community Compact, dropping NDAs with officials and pledging to pay full power costs at future sites. The company also plans to publish site-level water and power use, while executives acknowledged the need to better explain local benefits to communities.