A few weeks ago, I was having a politics conversation with a tech insider. The issue of datacenters became a focus of the conversation. The first response from him was “this is the issue that might decide 2026 and will certainly decide 2028.”
The tech side of the issue is essentially: As 5G wifi was to mobile connectivity, so too are the datacenters the cornerstone of nationwide AI rollout. Eventually, all of the datacenters will interconnect and become part of a massive information system that houses all knowledge, a great digital brain. From that point, engagement with Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems will become like a public utility.
The datacenters themselves can be a hot button issue as their proximity to people creates friction. Battles against datacenters are taking place in rural and non-rural areas alike. With deep pockets and strong national security arguments involving the “AI race,” the technocrats are currently winning the argument. However, as with all special interest issues, the opportunity for political benefit now determines DC advocacy. WATCH:
What are your thoughts on this issue?
Is opposition to datacenters strong enough to tilt the outcome of the 2026 midterms? And do you believe 2028 will be determined with this issue at the forefront?
Thank you for this lively debate. It’s important. I’m bookmarking it because if and when President Trump takes a position on data centers, debate on this site will shut down to the president’s default position. Those who dare question “will be trying to separate me from my president.” Like Iran.
Just because something can be built does not mean it should be built. Question everything. Plus, those building the data centers could build them to cool themselves, but they don’t want the cost. Move to tokenization coming very fast. 401k’s, all assets will be tokenized if not stopped. Oppose the clarity act. Congress doesn’t understand what they are voting for. All purchAll financial transactions would eventually be conditional, permission-based. Larry Fink has said that everything that can be tokenized will be tokenized. Property rights would be gone. Listen to Patrick Wood and Courtenay Turner.
McAfee Virus on this thread, also. Maddening.
A great digital brain, competing with other great digital brains? Doing what besides gathering enormous amounts of data? Will they communicate with each other world wide and debate how all issues, whether problematic or not, are to be resolved? Will they eventually become just one huge “brain” storing information, always having to have more and more storage space for ongoing data?
Jumping ship over AI facilities but not windmills and solar panels that have intruded into many rural lives? Not sure they were conservatives to begin with.
As a retired software engineer, in my 78th year of life, I have to say that I am so very tired of the internet and computers in general!!
The endless ads, the popups, being forced to pay for utilities, or whatever I want to purchase or subscribe to online; having to have a document to remind me what my passwords, userids, security questions so that I can log on once every month-or year or whenever.
I feel as though I am being forced into a corner without any choice over how I conduct my personal business. I am moving to a small town where I can show up and pay my bill in CASH, and in PERSON.
I am sick to death of all the computer crap! I’m going to start growing things and admiring nature. I wish more people would toss their “smart” phone, get off the cell phone and start being truly ALIVE!
2028 will be influenced a great deal by this issue, but I don’t think it will affect 2026 noticeably, because I think most candidates are avoiding the question of AI as much as they can. I think they’re seeing how controversial and how politically hard to read it is. I think it’s a bipartisan threat to our future, and I know I’m not alone in feeling that way.