Big Tech claims voters’ AI backlash is “anti-Trump” not “anti-tech”

Donald Trump's ambitious American AI expansion project is encountering a significant setback as voters nationwide recently backed candidates and measures aimed at tightening AI and data center regulations. According to a poll conducted by Redbud Consulting, out of 44 data center initiatives proposed in 10 states, 38 were approved.

These measures encompassed moratoriums and bans on data centers, with some even banning them entirely. The impact of these measures is expected to be felt most acutely in future projects slated for 2028, rather than affecting existing or approved projects through 2027. Notably, only one measure allowed a data center project to move forward.

Despite this, the American AI industry has not been completely spared; a measure passed in North Dakota mandates data center developers to conduct independent reviews and hold public hearings before expanding or proposing new projects, essentially imposing additional costs and hurdles on the industry. Beyond the data center regulations, voters also showed support for anti-AI candidates in key states where the majority of US data center capacity is being developed.