Bernie Sanders, Ron DeSantis speak out against data center boom. Bad sign for AI (www.cnbc.com)

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, representing opposing political views, are uniting to challenge the AI industry's rapid expansion of data centers due to concerns about rising electricity costs and grid stability ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections. Sanders is advocating for a national moratorium on new data center constructions, warning of the labor market disruptions they could implicate, while DeSantis is pushing forward an AI bill of rights that would empower communities to block such developments. This unlikely bipartisan trend reflects growing public unease about the AI sector's impact on local economies and infrastructure. The situation is aggravated by the PJM Interconnection, which is projected to be six gigawatts short of its reliability requirement by 2027, raising the likelihood of blackouts. This power deficit, attributed largely to the demand from new data centers, could transfer additional costs to consumers, indicating a massive economic shift that might resonate with voters. As both political figures highlight these issues, the AI industry's ambitions may face significant hurdles, potentially reshaping the landscape for AI/ML development in the U.S.