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PolicyCNBC2:03 PM

StorylinesOpenAI Data Center Deal Pledges on Secrecy and Power Use1 update

Why it mattersTwo days after voters rejected data center expansion in 40 of 41 local ballot measures, OpenAI committed to pay full power costs, publish construction plans, avoid NDAs with officials and urged these commitments become law, showing voter backlash reshaping ho…

SecurityOpenAI1:53 AM

Why it mattersOpenAI's pipeline produced 948 Linux kernel root-access exploits at roughly $359 each, with maintainers already patching hundreds, showing that finding and exploiting critical software flaws is now cheap and scalable for defenders and attackers alike.

PolicyArs Technica1:21 AM

Why it mattersCruz scheduling a lame-duck hearing to give Republicans an unusual 3-1 FCC majority, with Trump skipping the traditional Democratic pairing, tests the bipartisan guardrails over broadcast speech and telecom licensing, though the 3-0 scenario is still speculat…

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Policyvia CNBCToday · 2:03 PM

OpenAI Pledges to Avoid NDAs and Cut Power Use in Data Center Deals

Audio brief

What happened

OpenAI published a policy blueprint and a set of commitments on Thursday for the data centers it will own and operate.

Why it matters

The announcement came two days after voters pushed back on data center expansion at the polls.

In detail

The company said it will pay the full cost of powering those facilities, ask communities for input, publish construction plans and avoid non-disclosure agreements with public officials.

It also urged policymakers to turn similar commitments into law.

Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, said the blueprint lays out lessons the company has learned and is meant to set "a very high floor" for how projects proceed.

Of 41 local ballot measures across 10 states, voters backed restrictions or rejected pro-development measures in all but one, according to Ballotpedia and additional results gathered by CNBC.

Opposition grew over the summer on both sides of the political aisle, as consumers worried about environmental harm, higher utility bills and job losses.

For many, the facilities became a visible symbol of anxiety about AI.

The stakes are high for OpenAI, which relies on data centers to serve customers and develop new models. In February, it told investors it is targeting $600 billion in total compute spending by 2030, and it has since announced large projects in Georgia and Ohio. Lehane said the blueprint has been in development since August, that he has met with dozens of lawmakers and candidates, and that early conversations should help advance the work before the new Congress convenes in late January. OpenAI has said repeatedly this year that it would protect ratepayers and invest in local communities.

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OpenAI Data Center Deal Pledges on Secrecy and Power Use1 update

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OpenAI Pledges to Avoid NDAs and Cut Power Use in Data Center Deals

Audio brief

What happened

OpenAI published a policy blueprint and a set of commitments on Thursday for the data centers it will own and operate.

Why it matters

The announcement came two days after voters pushed back on data center expansion at the polls.

In detail

The company said it will pay the full cost of powering those facilities, ask communities for input, publish construction plans and avoid non-disclosure agreements with public officials.

It also urged policymakers to turn similar commitments into law.

Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, said the blueprint lays out lessons the company has learned and is meant to set "a very high floor" for how projects proceed.

Of 41 local ballot measures across 10 states, voters backed restrictions or rejected pro-development measures in all but one, according to Ballotpedia and additional results gathered by CNBC.

Opposition grew over the summer on both sides of the political aisle, as consumers worried about environmental harm, higher utility bills and job losses.

For many, the facilities became a visible symbol of anxiety about AI.

Get stories like this every morning.

Importance93out of 100High importance

An automated editorial system rates every story from 0 to 100 for its significance. Only stories above a strict threshold are published; the higher the score, the greater the importance.

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Record a comment of up to 60 seconds. Others can listen now or later, and reply with their own.

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OpenAI Pledges to Avoid NDAs and Cut Power Use in Data Center Deals

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OpenAI Pledges to Avoid NDAs and Cut Power Use in Data Center Deals

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