Candidates endorse AI oversight pact as data center backlash grows
Eighteen candidates for Congress and governor have endorsed a five-point plan to regulate artificial intelligence, including mandatory safety reviews and limits on data center incentives. The pledge comes amid rising public opposition to data center construction, with a recent poll finding 63% of respondents against building them nearby. The initiative is backed by the Political Integrity Project and the Guardrails Alliance.
The AI PACT's five provisions target industry practices that have drawn scrutiny, including local tax incentives for data centers and the release of models without independent review. Signatories span 14 states, with notable names including Florida's Angie Nixon, California's Connie Chan, and Texas challenger Gina Hinojosa. Independent Dan Osborn of Nebraska is the sole non-Democrat.
Public sentiment has shifted sharply, with Emerson College polling showing opposition to nearby data center construction rising from 42 percent in December to 63 percent last month. The facilities' environmental footprint is significant—a medium-sized center can use roughly 110 million gallons of water annually. Meanwhile, medical professionals report AI improving patient care, illustrating the technology's dual-edged nature.
This pledge could reshape how AI regulation is framed in upcoming campaigns, forcing candidates to take explicit positions on data center siting and model oversight. Communities facing construction proposals may feel empowered to push back, while industry groups could intensify lobbying efforts. The rising opposition numbers suggest this issue may mobilize voters concerned about local environmental impacts, potentially influencing races beyond the 14 states represented by signatories.