OpenAI to launch campaign for AI compute campuses after midterms

A new terminology push

OpenAI is preparing to launch a coordinated policy and communications campaign in Washington following the midterm elections on November 3. The company intends to use this period to shape the national conversation regarding how artificial intelligence is developed and deployed. This effort is timed to coincide with the beginning of the political cycle for the 2028 presidential candidates.

A central part of this strategy involves a specific terminology push. OpenAI wants to promote the term "AI compute campuses" as the preferred way to describe its large-scale data centers. By shifting the language, the company hopes to influence how policymakers and the public perceive the physical footprint of AI technology.

This branding effort is not happening in a vacuum. It is part of a broader strategy to position OpenAI as a leader in the debate over the future of the field. The company aims to establish its preferred narrative as the 2028 election cycle begins to take shape across the country.

National safety and policy goals

Alongside the push for new terminology, OpenAI is advocating for specific regulatory frameworks. Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane has outlined a goal to establish mandatory national AI safety rules. This represents a move toward standardized federal oversight rather than a patchwork of state-level regulations.

The company's policy agenda also includes support for specific legislation in California. Lehane expressed support for four California bills on September 9, providing a legislative dimension to the company's broader goals. These actions suggest that OpenAI is looking to align state-level progress with a unified national strategy.

The company is also navigating the complexities of political spending in the current environment. CEO Sam Altman recently criticized the effectiveness of industry spending on political causes. This sentiment was reflected in the actions of OpenAI President Greg Brockman, who withdrew his support for a pro-AI super PAC called Leading the Future.

The campus infrastructure model

The PORTS-Pike Technology Campus in Ohio serves as a primary example of the "campus" model OpenAI wants to promote. This project is being developed in partnership with SB Energy and NVIDIA. It is designed to be a massive facility providing approximately eight gigawatts of power under a 20-year lease.

These large-scale projects are part of a broader initiative known as the Stargate infrastructure initiative. Launched in 2025, Stargate includes multi-gigawatt campus projects across several different states. Some observers have already begun describing these massive sites as "AI factories" due to their scale and purpose.

The Ohio campus is expected to create thousands of local jobs as it develops. By framing these sites as campuses, OpenAI may be attempting to highlight the economic benefits and community impact of the infrastructure. This approach contrasts with the traditional view of data centers as isolated industrial facilities.

Election and community engagement

OpenAI has also taken steps to manage its role during the current election cycle. In late October, the company launched an Election Operations Center to address the potential misuse of its tools during the voting process. This center is designed to help people find accurate information and ensure the integrity of the democratic process.

The company is collaborating with Democracy Works and the Associated Press on this initiative. This move follows the company's efforts to balance its technological influence with responsible civic engagement. It serves as a countermeasure to ensure that AI tools are not used to spread misinformation or interfere with voting.

Looking forward, the company's focus will shift toward its post-midterm Washington campaign. The goal remains to establish a clear path for AI development that includes both the physical infrastructure of campuses and the legal framework of national safety rules. This dual approach aims to secure OpenAI's position as a primary architect of the AI era.