Backlash against data centers could cost the US its AI edge

The article warns that growing public and political backlash against data center construction in the United States could undermine American leadership in the global AI race. As the US approaches midterm elections, bipartisan opposition has emerged, including a nationwide protest, a White House-brokered Ratepayer Protection Pledge signed by Republican governors, and New York's first statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data center permits. The author argues that while US engineers may keep pace with China, the country could lose its AI advantage due to failure to build necessary infrastructure. Public concerns about energy, water, land use, and tax incentives are legitimate, but the piece highlights that foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran are actively working to foment opposition and drive division. The article frames the infrastructure buildout as critical for future jobs, military readiness, and economic competitiveness, warning that blocking data centers could lead to lost investment and strategic vulnerability.