# OpenAI to press on with data-centre investment despite voter opposition

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/openai-will-keep-investing-in-ai-data-centers-despite-election-results-cfo-tells-cnbc/
- Published: 2026-11-06T18:20:19+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T18:29:56+00:00
- Original publisher: CNBC (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/06/open-ai-data-centers-election.html
- Topics: AI, Business, Elections, Politics, Technology

## Key points

- OpenAI says it will keep investing in data centres.
- Voters opposed projects in all but one of 41 local measures.
- The company is discussing funding at a $1.25 trillion valuation.

## Summary

New details point to OpenAI continuing its data-centre investment despite widespread voter opposition to such projects in Tuesday’s midterm ballot measures. Chief financial officer Sarah Friar said the company still needs infrastructure to meet customer demand and will keep raising capital and working with communities.

Voters opposed restrictions or rejected pro-development measures in all but one of 41 local votes across 10 states, amid concerns about environmental effects, utility bills and jobs. Friar said the results had not dramatically changed OpenAI’s plans; the company has published commitments for future data centres it owns and operates. OpenAI is discussing a funding round at a $1.25 trillion pre-money valuation and is still considering a possible 2027 stock market debut.

## Coverage

- [CNBC: OpenAI to press on with data-centre investment despite voter opposition](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/06/open-ai-data-centers-election.html)
- [CNA: OpenAI to press ahead with data-center expansion despite midterm sweep, CFO tells CNBC](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/openai-press-ahead-data-center-expansion-despite-midterm-sweep-cfo-tells-cnbc-6532086)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.