Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez want to halt data center production

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, a federal bill designed to halt new data center construction across the U.S. The progressive lawmakers argue for immediate action to address what Sanders termed an "existential threat to the existence of the human race" due to AI's rapid expansion. The proposed legislation would impose a ban on new data center development until Congress enacts federal laws establishing protections for workers, consumers, and communities, alongside privacy measures and environmental standards. It also includes a ban on exporting AI chips without these protections. Sanders expressed frustration with Democratic Party leadership, stating they are not taking the issue seriously enough, highlighting the "enormous" economic impacts and risks to children. Ocasio-Cortez pointed to tangible consequences, such as increased utility costs in communities with booming data center activity and pervasive privacy risks from AI tools. The concept of a data center moratorium is highly contentious, even within the Democratic Party, and faces a difficult path in Congress. Critics, including U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), have labeled the idea "idiocy," arguing it would disadvantage the U.S. in the global race to develop advanced AI against competitors like China. Sanders attributed congressional inaction to the significant campaign contributions from large tech firms, suggesting industry spending influences lawmakers' decisions.