OpenAI CFO: Data center investments won’t change due to the midterm elections

On November 7, Sarah Friar, OpenAI’s Chief Financial Officer, stated clearly in a Friday interview with CNBC that the results of the United States midterm elections will not affect the company’s pace of investment in AI infrastructure—OpenAI will continue advancing its collaborations with major hyperscale cloud service providers and rely on funding to meet surging AI customer demand. She noted that while the election itself will not bring material changes to the company’s business, as data center issues gain greater visibility in the public eye, OpenAI will further strengthen dialogue with its local community to build long-term trust. Notably, during this midterm election cycle, 41 local ballot measures related to data centers were held across 10 states nationwide; 40 of these measures supported restrictions on construction or opposed development, with only one exception. Voter concerns centered primarily on potential electricity price increases, heightened environmental burdens, and shifts in employment structures. Additionally, Friar revealed that OpenAI filed a confidential IPO application with the SEC in June and is evaluating the possibility of going public in 2027, while simultaneously pursuing a new round of funding at a pre-money valuation of $125 billion. She reiterated: “AI demand is real—and growth remains sustained and robust.”