Anti-AI populism is the future of American politics | Garrison Lovely

In the wake of Democrats' decisive midterms victory, the tech industry, led by Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, and Elon Musk, finds itself under mounting pressure. Voters rejected datacenters in over 30 localities across nine states, with 41% of planned datacenter capacity now situated in states with governors-elect supporting moratoriums. While not the primary issue, AI and datacenters were cited by 23% of voters as "crucial" in their decision, and Democrats garnered 67% of these voters' support.

AI is poised to become the dominant political battle of the 2028 cycle, with the industry's heavyweights racing to build job-destroying machines that may also pose existential risks. Democrats should drag these figures before the public and make them account for their ambitions and reasons behind pushing such technology.

The surge in opposition to AI datacenters can be attributed to local organizing efforts, heightened concerns over AI hacking incidents, and growing fear of AI-driven extinction. As labor automation becomes more apparent, anti-AI sentiment is only expected to intensify. While the industry may prove difficult to control, the political benefits of curbing AI are substantial and accessible to any candidate willing to take on the challenge.

Despite some Republicans' initial cozy relationships with the tech industry, the party is already shifting course. Trump's "let it rip" approach to AI, encouraged by venture capitalists, has fueled Democratic attacks on Republicans who have voted to override state AI regulations. As the 2028 election looms, whoever can most effectively challenge Altman, Amodei, Musk, and other tech giants stands to gain politically, with the potential to capitalize on the popularity of economic populism and the party's newfound commitment to addressing AI concerns.