Several politicians changing stance on AI and data centers
Several US politicians, including governors and senators from Arizona, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Ohio, are shifting their stances on AI and data center development. This change is driven by public pushback, with states like Pennsylvania enacting stricter requirements and Ohio proposing legislation for data centers to cover their own utility costs.
As midterm elections approach, several prominent Democratic and Republican politicians, previously supportive of AI and data center investments, are now advocating for increased regulation. This shift is largely attributed to growing public pushback on the issue, influencing candidates' positions ahead of potential 2028 presidential campaigns.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, who previously championed removing barriers to tech investments, announced plans to introduce legislation for a fund, paid into by AI companies, to support workers displaced by the technology. Similarly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, after promoting his state as an AI and data center destination in 2025, recently called for stricter guardrails on AI and signed an executive order imposing tighter restrictions on data centers within Pennsylvania.
On the Republican side, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who once declared Texas an AI development epicenter, is now implementing regulations and restrictions on data center development. In Ohio, Senator Jon Husted introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would mandate data centers pay for their own utility needs. While the Ohio House overwhelmingly passed its version of the bill, it was subsequently blocked by the Senate.
Political analyst John Dedie suggested that these sudden shifts in position "reek of 2028 politics," indicating that smart politicians are recognizing and responding to public sentiment on an issue that is proving to be bipartisan.