Why doomsday warnings are not the only threat to the AI juggernaut

The world of artificial intelligence (AI) thrives on vast data centres, where millions of chips process trillions of computations per second. These data centres, humming with the silent activity of microscopic transistors, generate significant heat, necessitating the continuous whir of fans and the thrum of transformers. In recent days, warnings of potential threats to humanity have drowned out the low hums, sparking backlash in the US, potentially affecting the mid-term elections and beyond.

The opposition to data centres is strongest on the political left in the US, with Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders calling for a moratorium on new constructions. Polls suggest that 71% of Americans are opposed to data centres, with 48% strongly opposed. This sentiment has grown in the past two years, with some polls indicating that half of Americans support a total pause on data centre construction.

Similar opposition exists in the UK, with local concerns over impacts on electric rates, water utilisation, and the loss of social housing and local businesses.

The backlash in the US is evident in the political climate leading up to the November elections. Anti-data-centre sentiment is present among both Democrats and Republicans, with some local councils being voted out due to their policies on data centres. Several states, both red and blue, are proposing bans on new data centres. In New Jersey and Virginia, Democratic Governors were elected partly due to opposition to rising electricity prices caused by data centre construction and operation.

This hyper-localized opposition could significantly impact the US midterm elections and the future of US policy. Big Tech CEOs, including Nvidia's Jensen Huang, have emphasized the importance of data centres for US reindustrialization, but the local concerns have become a defining factor in the political landscape.