As conflict over regulating artificial intelligence (AI) intensifies in U.S. politics, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont, independent) has introduced a bill to halt all new data center construction until AI regulations are in place.
According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 25th, Sanders introduced a bill with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York, Democrat) to halt all data center construction in the United States until national AI safety regulations are established. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are considered highly influential figures who have made waves in the U.S. progressive camp.
The bill treats data centers as the "physical embodiment" of AI and makes them the starting point for regulation. It aims to pause data center construction until the federal government establishes rules that ensure AI safety and address wealth redistribution, and to use policy to control the pace of technological development to soften social shocks.
At a news conference that day, Sanders said, "Voters, facing the most profound technological revolution in history, need more than the voluntary assurances of a Big Tech–centered oligarchy," adding, "Congress is far behind in understanding the nature of the revolution and its impact."
Ocasio-Cortez also raised her voice, saying, "Through an AI moratorium, lawmakers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders can gain time to understand the risks of AI and data centers, protect working families and democracy, and ensure this technology is applied in ways that benefit all Americans."
There are more than 4,000 data centers in the United States today, the majority of which are located in Virginia, Texas and California.
Earlier, conflicts over data center construction spread across communities nationwide. In Virginia, the world's largest concentration of data centers, through which 70% of the world's data passes, continued resident protests have stalled additional construction; in Georgia, protests have also continued, and some counties have reportedly moved to pause permitting or tighten regulations.
According to the WP, at least 12 states are considering halting data center construction, and dozens of local governments, including New Orleans and Chandler, are said to have implemented moratoriums. Real estate brokerage CBRE Group tallied that the capacity of data centers under construction in the United States fell to 5.99 gigawatts (GW) at the end of last year from 6.35 GW at the end of 2024, marking the first decline since 2020.
Public opinion is also lending weight to regulating data center construction. Mitch Jones, policy director at the environmental group Food & Water Watch, which first proposed a nationwide AI moratorium in October last year, said, "When we first proposed the policy, most of it was immediately rejected," adding, "Since then, as multiple groups have joined the push, the mood is shifting." A Pew Research Center poll found that most Americans perceive data centers as having negative effects on the environment, electricity bills and quality of life.
Sanders has previously issued steady warnings about AI. He has shared videos of experts saying AI advancement could lead to human extinction, posted a video debating privacy concerns by interviewing AI directly, and last month visited California to hold talks with Big Tech executives, emphasizing the need to set regulations.
However, the Donald Trump administration is seen as pursuing the exact opposite course. White House tech advisers believe the United States can gain an edge over China by minimizing regulation and spurring innovation through AI development. In fact, on the 20th the White House unveiled a national legislative framework for AI, signaling an attempt to apply a "light-touch" approach that limits states' AI regulatory authority to minimize regulation.
Some also say the chances of regulation translating into actual legislation are limited. According to government relations consultancy MultiState, dozens of data center–related bills made significant progress this year, but generally those laws evolved to bolster government information-gathering for data center development.
Industry is also voicing strong opposition and throwing its weight into lobbying. Cy McNeill, senior director for federal affairs at the Data Center Coalition, warned, "A moratorium will limit access to digital services, undermine global competitiveness, and significantly affect Americans' daily lives." Tech leaders including OpenAI President Greg Brockman are reportedly continuing behind-the-scenes efforts, such as contributing campaign funds to candidates who support easing regulations.