The public sours on AI and data centers as Anthropic, OpenAI look to IPO and tech keeps spending

Growing public negativity towards artificial intelligence is creating headwinds for prominent tech companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic, both of which are pursuing initial public offerings. This sentiment also affects hyperscalers like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, who are investing hundreds of billions into data center infrastructure to support AI development. Recent incidents highlight the extreme nature of this backlash; OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's San Francisco home was targeted with a Molotov cocktail by a suspect motivated by anti-AI sentiment, according to the San Francisco District Attorney. Altman acknowledged the "great anxiety about AI" and advocated for de-escalation, while suggesting policy solutions such as a public wealth fund or a four-day workweek. Conversely, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has publicly addressed the risks associated with large-scale AI disruption. This debate is moving from specialized tech circles to mainstream public discourse, with AI poised to be a central issue in upcoming midterm elections. Polls indicate a majority of Americans now believe AI's risks outweigh its benefits. These concerns are directly linked to the burgeoning energy demands of data centers, which are the backbone of AI and have become a focal point for state and local opposition. A report by Data Center Watch indicates that $156 billion in data center projects were either blocked or delayed in 2025 due to local resistance and legal challenges. Notably, Maine recently passed a bill to implement the first statewide data center ban, which is awaiting the governor's signature. Furthermore, voters in Lester, Missouri, ousted several city council members who supported a proposed data center project. This shifting political landscape and public opinion could also influence the success of future public offerings, including OpenAI's, which views its data center buildout as a strategic advantage.