A new legislative proposal aims to slam the brakes on the construction of new AI data centers in the United States. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) introduced a bill on Wednesday that would impose a federal moratorium on such projects until Congress establishes national safeguards.

The lawmakers argue that the unchecked expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure poses unacceptable risks to workers' rights, civil liberties, and the environment. "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," Sanders stated. Ocasio-Cortez pointed to existing harms, from government surveillance to exploitative deepfakes, as evidence that regulation is urgently needed.

Their move aligns with a tangible slowdown in data center development. According to research from 10a Labs, community opposition blocked or delayed 36 data center projects across the U.S. between May 2024 and June 2025, affecting $162 billion in planned investment. Concerns over electricity demands, water usage, and local environmental impact have fueled bipartisan resistance in states from Virginia to Oregon.

Public sentiment appears wary. A recent NBC News poll found 57% of registered voters believe AI's risks outweigh its benefits.

The bill faces significant political hurdles. The Republican-controlled Congress is generally skeptical of regulatory pauses. Democratic Senator John Fetterman (PA) criticized the moratorium as a "China First" policy that would cede technological leadership. The Trump administration, which has favored minimal regulation, last week released a national AI framework emphasizing innovation acceleration alongside protective measures for children and intellectual property. The stage is set for a contentious debate over the speed and safety of America's AI build-out.

Source: Al Jazeera