Democrats run more anti-tech ads amid AI boom

Democrats are mounting a larger number of anti-tech and anti-data center advertisements during this election cycle, compared to just two such ads from 2020 to 2024, according to a new analysis from the Tech Oversight Project. This report, shared exclusively with Semafor, reveals that Democrats are employing these messages at four times the rate of Republicans.

The ads can be found in a majority of the competitive races, including numerous battleground states and three gubernatorial races in question. The content of these advertisements focuses on concerns such as price-gouging, potential harm to children, and even the denial of healthcare services. They also target data center-focused issues, questioning politicians' stance on water usage and the threat to farmland.

In the report, the Tech Oversight Project argues that Democrats have discovered a potentially winning message and urges them to intensify their efforts to reject a return to the status quo in Washington, including Silicon Valley fundraising and light-touch approaches. The report goes on to state that Democrats must not betray their campaign promises, as doing so would squander the victory and create resentment within their base that could impact their performance in the 2028 elections.

Organizations advocating for stricter regulations on AI and social media, such as the Tech Oversight Project and other anti-AI groups, believe they have a significant opportunity to push Democrats in Congress and potential 2028 presidential candidates towards prioritizing AI safety and data centers. They point out that conservatives have already lost credibility on this topic due to former President Donald Trump's close ties with affluent tech executives.