New Bernie Sanders AI Safety Bill Would Halt Data Center Construction

Source Domain: www.wired.com

Dozens of cities and counties across the US have introduced local moratoriums on data center development due to local pushback, while several state legislatures have also proposed state-level moratoriums.
Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a significant bill focusing not only on the environmental and community impacts of data centers but also on AI safety as a whole, highlighting the potential dangers AI poses to society and workers.
National progressive groups, as well as some prominent Republican politicians, are vocally questioning the data center buildout and the related potential harms from AI.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been especially outspoken against data centers and AI, supporting legislation to protect consumers and minors from potential AI harms.
The White House and major tech companies have acknowledged the public relations challenges associated with data center development and signed a nonbinding agreement to ensure data centers pay for energy and infrastructure costs to avoid rate hikes.
The industry group Data Center Coalition argues that a moratorium would have severe negative consequences for the economy and job creation, and remains committed to ensuring the responsible development of data centers with stakeholder cooperation.

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