OpenAI, SoftBank and Blackstone form US data center lobbying alliance

OpenAI, SoftBank, Blackstone, QTS and seven unions including the IBEW have formed the American Infrastructure Alliance to push back against local opposition to data centers. The first campaign targets Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Indiana and South Carolina, with guardrails planned for 2027.

• Members include OpenAI, QTS, SoftBank, Blackstone and seven unions
• Campaign covers Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Indiana and South Carolina
• The alliance plans to set data center guardrails in 2027
• Critics note only 23,000 people worked permanently in US data centers in 2024