Can the AI industry persuade data center opponents by getting rid of NDAs?

Major tech companies have announced they will stop using nondisclosure agreements when negotiating data center projects with local governments, a practice that kept these deals secret from the public. This matters because critics argue that secrecy around data center negotiations has fueled community opposition and confusion about how these projects affect local property values, electricity bills, and water usage. The industry's poor communication about data centers and AI more broadly has contributed to widespread skepticism, with some communities passing moratoriums to delay or study these projects before approving them. By eliminating NDAs, companies aim to increase transparency and address the fundamental trust deficit that has developed between the tech industry and local communities.