OpenAI CFO: Data center investment will not change due to the midterm elections

OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar stated in an interview with CNBC on Friday that the company will not change its AI infrastructure investment plans due to the results of the U.S. midterm elections. It will continue to collaborate with major hyperscale cloud service providers and meet AI customer demands through financing. She believes that the election results will not significantly change the company's business, but with increased attention on data centers, OpenAI will continue to strengthen communication and build trust with local communities.

In this midterm election, out of 41 local data center-related votes in 10 states, only one did not support measures to limit construction or oppose support for development. Voters are mainly concerned that data centers will drive up electricity costs, harm the environment, and impact employment. Friar stated that OpenAI secretly submitted its listing application to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in June and is considering going public in 2027, while negotiating a new round of financing with a pre-investment valuation of $1.25 trillion. She emphasized that the demand for AI is real and continues to grow.