According to ChainCatcher citing CNBC, OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar said on Friday that the company’s AI infrastructure investment plans would not change based on the U.S. midterm election results. OpenAI will continue working with major hyperscale cloud providers and use financing to meet customer demand for AI. Friar said the election outcome would not significantly affect the business, while the company would step up engagement with local communities and work to build trust as data centers receive more attention.
In the midterms, only one of 41 local data center-related ballot measures across 10 states did not support restricting construction or opposing measures in favor of development. Voters’ main concerns included higher electricity bills, environmental damage and effects on employment.
Friar said OpenAI confidentially filed an IPO application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in June and is considering a 2027 listing. The company is also discussing a new funding round at a $1.25 trillion pre-money valuation. She said demand for AI is real and continues to grow.