X reports Chinese bot network amplifying anti-data center sentiment in US
Elon Musk's social media company X identified hundreds of thousands of suspected Chinese accounts spreading anti-AI data center arguments, citing warnings of rising energy rates and environmental destruction. This online campaign is believed to influence public opinion, contributing to political outcomes like the primary election loss of Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, who supported a data center in Box Elder County. The article also notes that while some concerns are valid, data center proponents are also being sued for alleging Chinese funding of opposition groups.
Elon Musk's social media company, X, has announced the identification of hundreds of thousands of suspected Chinese accounts engaged in a covert influence operation targeting artificial intelligence data centers in the United States. According to X Global Government Affairs, approximately 200,000 inauthentic accounts, with 200 specifically focused on AI infrastructure debates, spread arguments about rising energy rates and environmental damage.
This finding comes amidst a growing political volatility surrounding data center developments across the U.S. In Utah's Box Elder County, voter outcry over a proposed data center, despite initial support from figures like Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, contributed to the primary election defeat of Utah Senate President Stuart Adams. Investor Kevin O'Leary, associated with the 'Stratos Project' data center, has attributed public backlash to China, an assertion that led to him being sued by nonprofits he accused of being Chinese-funded. Former Rep. Chris Stewart echoed concerns about China's efforts to undermine American AI development.
OpenAI also revealed in June that it had banned a group of likely Chinese-origin accounts that were influencing U.S. audiences with claims that data centers increase living costs. While acknowledging that data centers are significant energy consumers, the article highlights that some states, like New York and Pennsylvania, have enacted restrictions on their construction. Policymakers are cautioned against dismissing all public concerns as misinformation, with experts like Taylor Barkley of the Abundance Institute emphasizing that genuine American anxieties about data center expansion should not be overlooked, despite documented foreign interference.