The onslaught of artificial intelligence (AI) in just about every aspect of the economy has hinged on the construction of data centers to support AI’s infrastructure. The problem, however, is that data centers — and AI — proved hugely unpopular with voters who went to the polls yesterday.
This was especially evident in Texas, home to a growing hoard of data centers because of the abundant availability of electric power, where Democrats captured both the governor’s office and a U.S. Senate seat for the first time in decades. In fact, the Blue Wave was so pervasive that only Florida and Alabama remain solidly red after yesterday’s GOP calamity.
Voters in localities in Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Maine, Michigan and even Florida approved ballot measures to slow or halt data center construction. In all, 39 data center restriction measures were on ballots nationwide.
President Trump has steadfastly supported the data center buildout, but he did try to convince their owners to extend benefits to the communities in which they are erecting the data structures, such as cash payouts and other initiatives. Perhaps his message went unheeded, or proved to be too little, too late. The fear of AI taking over voters’ jobs also fueled anti-data center sentiment.
Meanwhile, stock indices are going wildly positive today, perhaps sensing that Trump’s wings will be clipped enough that the economy — and the world — can return to some semblance of normalcy.
