Across the Divide: Politicians of All Stripes Oppose AI Data Centers

Democrats and Republicans agree on very few issues in today’s world. But TV ads leading into the midterm elections show that both parties appear to agree on one thing. They have fears about building AI data centers.     

It’s no secret that the US public has expressed concerns about the rise of AI. Critics are wary about the amount of electricity that data centers need to function in order to power AI. And many argue the centers should not be built near where they live. They worry about rising electric bills. They worry about pollution from the centers. And they worry the government could seize local land for these centers.   

More than 2,000 data centers are in the planning stages across the US. That's according to the tracking firm Cleanview.    

With that backdrop, many political candidates have taken a stand against data centers. So far this year, contenders have spent more than $31 million on TV ads that discuss data centers. That's from the firm AdImpact. And there are still two months until the midterms.   

A CNN review found that many ads feature candidates claiming their opponents favor data centers. For example, in Missouri, two leading candidates for a county seat spent their entire TV ad budgets promising they could stop data centers from being built. Each accused their opponent of working with data-center developers.  

Candidates from both parties have taken stands against data centers. They have proclaimed loudly that centers need more rules. And some have even called for a pause on building them.   

Clifford Young told CNN it's a major issue for both parties. He's the chair of research firm Ipsos Public Affairs. “It’s a boogeyman for everyone. It plays into this underlying belief that the system is broken.” 

Reflect: Describe a time when you found common ground with someone you usually disagree with. What brought you together?

Photo of a data center under construction in Abilene, Texas from Reuters.