OpenAI says it will stop using NDAs with public officials on data-centre projects
After this week's midterms OpenAI also pledged to pay the full cost of the electricity it uses, publish expected jobs and give each future campus it owns and operates a local compact; it keeps narrow protections for security, trade-secret and competitively sensitive information.
Why it matters
Non-disclosure agreements have become a flashpoint in data-centre fights because they keep developers' talks with local officials out of public view. OpenAI's pledge follows Amazon's October decision to stop using NDAs with government agencies on such projects, and comes days after voters backed restrictions in local ballot measures. The company will still allow narrow protections for security information, trade secrets and competitively sensitive information. Watch whether other developers follow and whether the promised local compacts contain enforceable terms.
Key facts
- No NDAs with public officials on data-centre projects
- Narrow protections remain for security, trade-secret and competitively sensitive information
- Pays 'the full cost' of the electricity it uses and the infrastructure needed to serve it
- Will publish jobs it expects to create and report on hiring
- Every future owned-and-operated 'compute campus' gets a 'local compact'
- Amazon said in October it would stop using NDAs with government agencies on data-centre projects