OpenAI CFO says it will keep investing in AI data centers despite election backlash
OpenAI’s CFO, Sarah Friar, told CNBC on Friday that the company will continue expanding its AI infrastructure despite voters rejecting pro-development measures in 41 local ballot initiatives across 10 states. Voters opposed data center projects in all but one case, citing environmental concerns, utility costs, and job displacement fears. Despite investor skepticism and market…
Key points
- OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar says the company will keep investing in AI data centers despite midterm election backlash
- Voters rejected 40 of 41 local ballot measures supporting data center projects across 10 states
- OpenAI is in talks to raise $1.25 billion at a $1.25 billion pre-money valuation, per Friar
OpenAI’s reliance on data centers for model training and customer service remains unchanged, though the company recently published a policy blueprint for its own facilities. Friar also noted OpenAI’s ongoing SEC filing for a potential 2027 IPO, positioning the company to compete with rivals like Anthropic, which aims for a Nasdaq debut in mid-November. Anthropic’s first-half revenue surged 1,200% to $33.2 billion, with $895.4 billion in committed infrastructure spend, per its prospectus.
The story so far
6 episodes →- OpenAI CFO says it will keep investing in AI data centers despite election backlashthis story
OpenAI will keep investing in AI data centers despite election results, CFO tells CNBC
CNBC Technology · 6 November 2026
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This text was published by CNBC Technology and written by Ashley Capoot. It is reproduced here with attribution so you can read it in full; the rights remain with the publisher. Read it at the source ↗
Coverage and discussion
4sources- OpenAI CFO Says Data-Center Buildout Will Continue After MidtermsPress · Unite.AI ·
- OpenAI CFO says blue tsunami ‘didn’t dramatically change’ IPO plansPress · businessinsider.com ·
- OpenAI says its data center spending continues regardless of election resultsPress · cryptobriefing.com ·
The headline, key points and digest above were generated by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources. Automated summaries can contain errors: the sources are the record. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Published by Martin K., who runs Digest AI and handles corrections.
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