Will Trump's data centre reckoning boost Democrats in the midterms?

As the 2024 US midterm elections approach, a growing concern for voters appears to be data centre construction and artificial intelligence (AI) development. Recent polls indicate that this issue could potentially benefit Democrats and harm Republicans in the upcoming elections. President Donald Trump, however, has dismissed these concerns as mere hoaxes.

The backlash against data centres has been particularly strong in Tennessee, where Democratic state legislator Justin Pearson has made opposition to data centres a central theme in his bid for Congress. Pearson has criticized Elon Musk's company xAI, which operates one of the largest data centres in Memphis, alleging pollution, increased electricity bills, and a lack of concern for residents' well-being.

Political scientists argue that the growing public opposition to data centres and AI development is rooted in valid concerns about widespread labor disruption and environmental impacts. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that 73% of voters oppose the construction of AI data centres in their communities. Many voters, regardless of party affiliation, see technology companies as greedy and unregulated.

The controversy surrounding data centres has also spilled over into other issues, such as facial recognition technology. In Michigan, Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed has targeted Republican opponent Mike Rogers for his investments in data centre firms and ties to other technology companies. El-Sayed's campaign has highlighted the Orwellian nature of these developments and the potential for privacy violations.

As the midterm elections draw nearer, opposition to data centres and AI development is shaping political races across the country, even as President Trump remains steadfast in his support for unregulated AI development and expansion of data centres.