Where every US governor stands on AI and the data-center boom
Some governors see their states as the next powerhouse for the growing AI industry. Others are exploring a "kill switch" for rogue AI.
Some state governors are more supportive of AI and data centers than others as the midterm elections draw near on November 3. The growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the massive infrastructure needed to support it have become a divisive political issue in the United States. The debate centers on AI safety, regulation, deepfakes, and the surge in the construction of data centers.
While Big Tech companies advocate for a faster expansion, local residents have voiced concerns over the potential environmental and energy costs associated with data centers.
Voters are faced with two critical questions: What role should state and federal governments play in regulating AI, and how much authority should local communities have over the increasing number of data centers being built in their neighborhoods? Governors from across the political spectrum, 17 of whom are up for reelection this year, have adopted different positions on the AI boom.
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) have been among the leaders in exploring AI safety measures. Newsom has proposed an AI kill switch, an emergency shutoff mechanism for frontier AI systems in case of an out-of-control event. Hochul has also called for federal AI safety rules. On the other hand, Republican governors like Utah's Spencer Cox and North Dakota's Doug Burgum, as well as Democratic governors Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer and New Mexico's Michelle Lujan Grisham, see data centers as an economic opportunity.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) has taken a cautious approach to AI, emphasizing the need for guardrails. In 2024, she established a statewide generative AI task force to examine the potential applications of AI within the state government, with a focus on transparency, privacy, and public safety. Ivey has also banned Chinese-affiliated AI platforms DeepSeek and Manus from all state-owned devices and networks.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) has pitched his state as a potential hub for AI and computing infrastructure, arguing that Alaska's colder climate can significantly reduce the cost of cooling AI server racks, potentially saving up to $150 million annually in cooling costs for a 1-gigawatt campus compared to a warmer state. Dunleavy has also expressed optimism about data centers as an economic driver for Alaska, highlighting the creation of more construction jobs.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (D) has largely framed AI as an economic opportunity for her state, opposing any moratorium on new data-center development. Instead, she has pushed for more structure around AI, encouraging the responsible use of the technology to strengthen Arizona's economy. Hobbs has established the state's first AI steering committee and launched an AI government tool to ensure AI advances the state's economic interests.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) believes AI can enhance government efficiency, provided that proper policies and regulations are in place. She has joined RAISE US, a national AI initiative aimed at partnering with governors, employers, workers, and training organizations to help the workforce transition to an AI economy.
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