Science & Tech · AI · 3 hrs ago
OpenAI wants to call its AI data centers “compute campuses”
OpenAI plans to call the large facilities that power its AI services “compute campuses” instead of data centers.
The company’s spokesperson said the new term better reflects the scale and role of the infrastructure.
These facilities use computing and energy infrastructure and require skilled workers.
The change comes as data centers face growing public concern, including over their effects on the environment and local communities.
OpenAI says communities that host the facilities should help shape them and share in the opportunities they create.
It is unclear whether the new name will catch on or change how people view the facilities.
OpenAI proposes calling AI data centers “compute campuses.”
An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed the proposed term to Business Insider on Sunday.
The spokesperson said the name better describes the scale and role of the infrastructure.
OpenAI said these facilities involve long-term investments in computing, energy infrastructure and skilled work.
The spokesperson also said host communities should help shape the infrastructure and share in its opportunities.
- Who
- OpenAI, through a spokesperson.
- What
- OpenAI proposes calling AI data centers “compute campuses.
- When
- The spokesperson confirmed the proposal on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- OpenAI says the term better describes the scale and role of the infrastructure it is building for AI.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Proposed term
- Compute campuses
- Company
- OpenAI
- Confirmation
- Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Public opinion
- 54% of Americans say AI data centers are bad for the environment, according to a recent Pew Research poll
2 sources
What people are saying
Compute campuses better describes the scale and role of the infrastructure we're building for AI.
These are long-term investments in computing, energy infrastructure and skilled work.
We want the communities hosting that infrastructure to help shape it and share in the opportunities it creates.