OpenAI rebrands datacentres amid public backlash
The gist
OpenAI is proposing to rename its data centers "AI compute campuses," a spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider.
The rebrand follows local pushback over power and water use.
How it unfolded
- Aug 27, 2026The head of data centers at OpenAI reportedly quits, amid a late-summer backlash against data centers.
- Nov 1, 2026OpenAI reportedly wants the public to use its new term for data centers.
- Nov 2, 2026OpenAI is considering renaming its data centers "AI compute campuses"; a spokesperson confirmed the proposed terminology change to Business Insider. Axios reports OpenAI is preparing a larger PR push ahead of the Nov 3 US midterm elections.