OpenAI Promises Data Center Changes as Voter Opposition Intensifies

OpenAI has promised changes to its data center agreements, including eliminating nondisclosure agreements and reducing power consumption, following US election results that highlighted growing public opposition to data center expansion and artificial intelligence infrastructure, according to Fortune Tech.

OpenAI and other technology companies face growing scrutiny over data center expansion, electricity consumption and the wider effects of artificial intelligence. [Photo: Business Wire]

The company’s reported commitments come amid increasing scrutiny of the environmental and electricity demands of large data centers, as well as concerns over their effects on local communities.

In other technology developments, Apple has joined companies objecting to a tokenized stock initiative promoted by Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange.

Nintendo reported a 16-percent decline in quarterly profit from a year earlier as higher component costs for its Switch 2 console weighed on margins.

Sony exceeded estimates for second-quarter revenue and profit. Fortune Tech also reported that sales of its PlayStation 5 Pro console benefited from interest surrounding the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI.

OpenAI introduced GPT-6 Cyber, a cybersecurity-focused artificial intelligence model, as concerns grow over the potential use of AI in cyberattacks.

Google, Meta and TikTok have also filed lawsuits seeking to block a California law that prohibits certain features deemed psychologically exploitative for users under 16.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is reportedly reviewing data center projects involving IREN, Nebius and Nscale, amid growing uncertainty about the outlook for so-called neocloud companies that provide specialized computing infrastructure.