Anti-AI populism is the future of American politics | Garrison Lovely
What happened
In the recent US midterm elections, Democrats achieved significant victories, with many voters expressing concerns about AI and the expansion of datacenters. Local measures to restrict or halt datacenter construction passed in over 30 communities across nine states. In states where new governors support these moratoriums, about 41% of planned datacenter capacity is now at risk. Exit polls showed that 23% of voters considered AI and datacenters a crucial issue, and these voters favored Democrats by a wide margin.
Key details
- Over 30 localities in nine states passed restrictions or moratoriums on datacenters.
- 41% of planned US datacenter capacity is in states with governors-elect who support moratoriums.
- 23% of voters said AI and datacenters were crucial to their vote.
- Democrats won these voters 67% to 30%.
- More than 130 federal and gubernatorial races mentioned tech accountability or AI.
Why it matters
People living in areas targeted for new datacenters may see projects delayed or blocked, affecting local economies and infrastructure plans. Political candidates and parties now face pressure to address AI-related concerns, as a significant portion of voters are making decisions based on these issues. The outcome could lead to stricter regulations on AI and datacenter growth, shaping the priorities of both state and federal lawmakers.