Overview
- In a Dec. 28 CNN interview, Sen. Bernie Sanders urged Congress to slow AI development and consider pausing construction of new data centers, calling AI the most consequential technology in human history.
- Sanders warned of large-scale job losses and tied rapid data‑center growth to higher local electric bills, arguing the buildout should be halted to study economic and social harms.
- The Trump administration issued a mid‑December executive order seeking a national AI framework that limits state regulation, signaling resistance to state‑level curbs or a nationwide pause.
- Industry expansion remains aggressive, with an Axios report cited by multiple outlets estimating roughly 4,000 AI data centers already operating and nearly 3,000 planned or under construction.
- Concerns over youth mental health have drawn bipartisan attention, with Republicans such as Sen. Katie Britt pushing safeguards for minors as polls show rising public skepticism and growing support for tighter rules or data‑center bans.