Why US voter anger at Big Tech is only just beginning

The article explores the growing American backlash against Big Tech and artificial intelligence, particularly in light of the recent US midterm elections. While some pundits have connected this anger to a resistance to Big Tech and AI, the author argues that the real issue lies in the controversies surrounding data centers in the United States.

This anger is expected to continue building up toward the 2028 US presidential election. Although President Donald Trump cannot run again, his influence on technology executives is unlikely to fade. Despite criticism of Trump's campaign style, hostility towards reporters, and disregard for facts, he managed to win the 2024 election. Tech executives have reportedly adopted similar controversial tactics.

For years, data centers have been built without much regard for the concerns of local communities regarding noise, waste, environmental effects, and water consumption. Tech executives and proponents of unregulated AI have ignored these concerns, often using non-disclosure agreements to sneak into communities. This approach is reminiscent of Trump's governance style, which relies on blinders and aggressive marketing.

In the lead-up to the midterm elections, despite rising public sentiment against data centers and growing worries about AI, Trump insisted that the issues were a hoax. He even suggested that foreign governments might be behind the anger. Despite multiple community meetings, tech executives continued to insist that the anger was a conspiracy.

Entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary, known for his abrasive personality on Shark Tank, also played the Trump playbook. He claimed that opposition to his proposed 40,000-acre data center in Utah was due to the Chinese government's attempts to sow division in the US. O'Leary faced several defamation lawsuits from community groups opposing his data center and had to face court battles.

Even Fox News, which is not typically seen as a liberal outlet, had to correct O'Leary after he made unsubstantiated claims about the backers of his data center proposal. Tech executives often share their positive opinions about AI on social media, sometimes without proper vetting by their public relations teams. Some executives seem to believe that they can leverage the perceived authenticity of President Trump to gain favor in the eyes of the public.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently tried to address the AI-induced RAM shortage by suggesting that personal computers, smartphones, and laptops were hindering the AI movement. His comments drew criticism from his rival, Elon Musk. Meanwhile, OpenAI has started rebranding its data centers, seemingly trying to downplay the controversies surrounding them.