Sam Altman under pressure? OpenAI's unusual announcement following the midterm elections

OpenAI published a commitments document to pay the full electricity and infrastructure costs of its data centers, following public protest in the US midterm elections over soaring electricity prices. The company signed an agreement with Georgia Power in Georgia and calls for enshrining the commitments in law.

OpenAI published an unusual commitments document in which it pledges to pay the full electricity and infrastructure costs of its data centers, following widespread public protest in the United States over soaring household electricity prices. The move comes days after the midterm elections, in which millions of citizens voted against the establishment of server farms. In the document, OpenAI commits to sharing planning with local communities, publishing construction plans transparently, and ceasing the use of non-disclosure agreements with elected officials. The company signed a long-term agreement with Georgia Power in Effingham County, Georgia, under which it will fund infrastructure upgrades and provide operational flexibility of up to 1,000 megawatts for temporary disconnection during peak load. According to the power company's estimates, the move could save consumers about $950 million per year starting in 2029. OpenAI calls for enshrining the commitments in binding law for all technology companies. The article notes that the timing is intended to ease public concerns and allow continued expansion of computing infrastructure.