{
  "id": 16042645,
  "title": "How tech became the villain of the US midterms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/how-tech-became-the-villain-of-the-us-midterms",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-22T12:00:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/oct/22/us-midterms-tech-datacenters-ai"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new wave of campaign ads this election cycle has targeted big tech, specifically datacenters and artificial intelligence, as American voters grapple with distaste for the industry's billionaires. These ads, funded by Democrat-aligned PACs and targeting Republican candidates, warn of datacenters encroaching on neighborhoods, rivers, and farmland. The attack on datacenters has even led prominent Republicans to break from Donald Trump's pro-AI stance, with some demanding a slowdown. Candidates are trying to convince voters that their opponents would allow these unpopular facilities in their communities. The tech industry has spent over $500 million on influencing elections and ballot proposals in 2026, with pro-AI-regulation groups and PACs also funneling significant funds. Concern over AI's potential societal impact has grown, amplified by the physical presence of datacenters. In Michigan, a Democratic Senate candidate ran ads accusing opponents of pushing a surveillance state with Flock cameras, while in Texas, a Democrat criticized a Republican governor for backing data collection technology. California voters are considering a wealth tax on ultra-rich residents, facing a fierce response from the state's ultra-wealthy.",
  "summary": "Datacenters, AI and distaste for the billionaires developing it has soured Americans on big tech The campaign ad begins with a clear, idyllic stream that suddenly turns sludge-brown as two concrete datacenters slam onto its banks. Another facility thuds down on a peaceful suburban park, and two more crush-green pastures as an ominous soundtrack to a disaster movie blares overtop. “They’re coming…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}