OpenAI wants to rebrand data centers as 'compute campuses' to try and win people over

OpenAI could rebrand data centers

by · TechRadar

News By Craig Hale Published 2 November 2026

(Image credit: OpenAI Stargate)

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  • OpenAI could call its data centers 'AI compute campuses'
  • Public perception is low as energy prices rise across the US
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OpenAI is considering a new name for its biggest data centers as it looks to improve public perceptions of AI infrastructure amid ongoing political debate.

Instead of calling them data centers, the ChatGPT maker is considering a rebrand to 'AI compute campuses' to give the facilities a name which sounds more economically positive.

OpenAI hasn't directly announced these plans, however Axios reports that the changes could come as soon as this week, following US midterm elections on November 3 2026.

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OpenAI could rename data centers to 'AI compute campuses'

It seems that the company is anticipating major political changes and the possibility that the Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives, which would result in a more challenging regulatory environment.

OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane told Axios that he expects AI to be an ongoing political debate beyond the midterm elections.

"Communities should hold companies responsible and accountable so they really and truly get a transformative benefit from these projects," he added.

OpenAI has already been making efforts to win communities over, promising to partner with local communities to understand local needs. "We commit to paying our own way on energy, so that our operations don't increase your electricity prices," the company said at the start of 2026. Energy prices are a big sticking point for US citizens.

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