The Guardian view on AI politics: US datacentre protests are a warning to big tech | Editorial

Across the United States, a novel political alignment is emerging as both Republican and Democratic voters express significant opposition to the rapid construction of artificial intelligence data centers. This skepticism, fueled by concerns over environmental safeguards, rising energy costs, and the strain on local water systems and grids, has led to protests, such as one in Decatur, Georgia. The White House, which has prioritized data center rollout in its AI action plan, finds this scale of protest unexpected. The previous Trump administration encouraged a deregulated "build, baby, build" approach, backed by Silicon Valley. Industry giants like Amazon and Microsoft are projected to invest $710 billion in data centers this year. However, this boom is incurring a political cost for states, which have offered tax breaks and subsidies but are now facing local downsides like higher electricity bills. Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, and Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential Republican presidential candidate, have both voiced concerns. DeSantis criticized Washington's threat to withhold federal funding from states that create obstacles, calling it an attempt to "kneecap the states and let big tech write the rules." In 2025, opposition to data center construction reportedly led to $156 billion worth of projects being blocked or suspended, signaling early skirmishes in a broader political battle over AI's social and environmental impact.