Two progressive lawmakers in the United States are advocating for a moratorium on new AI data centers, warning that the rapidly advancing technology could threaten the "future of humanity." The legislation introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders and House Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday would halt the construction of data centers until national safeguards are implemented to protect workers' livelihoods, civil liberties, and the environment. This move comes as part of a broader effort to address the unchecked expansion of AI infrastructure, which critics argue is outpacing regulatory frameworks.
Sanders, an independent from Vermont, emphasized the urgency of the moratorium, stating that lawmakers are "way behind" in understanding AI. He allegedly claimed, "Bottom line: We cannot sit back and allow a handful of billionaire Big Tech oligarchs to make decisions that will reshape our economy, our democracy, and the future of humanity. We need serious public debate and democratic oversight over this enormously consequential issue. The time for action is now. We need a federal moratorium on AI data centers." Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, added that the lack of national AI regulation has purportedly led to harms ranging from mass government surveillance to the proliferation of sexually explicit deepfakes targeting women and children.
The proposed legislation emerges against a backdrop of growing grassroots opposition to data center rollouts across the US, with communities raising concerns over their massive water and electricity consumption. According to Data Center Watch, a research project by AI security company 10a Labs, at least 36 data centers were blocked or delayed between May 2024 and June 2025, disrupting $162 billion in investment. Opposition to these projects, largely driven by fears of rising electricity prices and environmental damage, has transcended partisan lines, affecting states led by both Republicans and Democrats, including Virginia, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri, and Oregon.
Despite this public sentiment, the Sanders-Ocasio-Cortez bill faces significant challenges in the US Congress, where Republicans control both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and even Democrats are reportedly divided on AI regulation. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania dismissed the proposed moratorium, calling it "China First" and asserting, "The emerging chassis of AI must be built by America. We can put appropriate guardrails in place without handing the win on AI to China." The Trump administration, which has championed a light-touch approach to AI regulation, recently released a national AI framework that purportedly emphasizes innovation acceleration while recommending measures to protect children and control electricity prices.
A recent NBC News poll highlighted public skepticism, with 57% of registered US voters believing the risks of AI outweigh the benefits, compared to 34% who feel the opposite. Only 26% of voters expressed positive views on AI, while 46% held negative perceptions. This data underscores the societal friction surrounding AI adoption, even as the US regime pushes for technological dominance amid geopolitical tensions with China. The four-page framework document called on lawmakers to remove barriers to innovation and accelerate AI deployment, while implementing safeguards for intellectual property and free speech, reflecting the administration's prioritization of economic competitiveness over stringent regulation.
Source: www.aljazeera.com