Civic protests are multiplying in the United States against the establishment of data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence. The movement, orchestrated by the conservative organization Humans First, embodies a collective desire to contest the potential impacts of these infrastructures on the urban landscape, the environment, and the daily lives of residents. This protest transcends usual political divides and becomes a national phenomenon, revealing growing concerns about the expansion of AI in the country.
A mobilization across the territory
This Saturday, July 18, dozens of protests are planned in more than 37 states, with a notable concentration in Texas, Florida, California, and Georgia. Participants are called to ask local and federal elected officials to slow down the development of data centers, which they consider a threat to “our cities, our wallets, and our way of life.” This opposition movement is gaining momentum and beginning to touch a diverse population, bringing together people with varied political opinions.
Figures that speak for themselves
A survey conducted by Reuters/Ipsos reveals that less than a third of Americans support the current pace of data center construction. Even more alarming, only 14% of citizens would agree to host a data center in their own municipality. These statistics reflect a real distrust among the population regarding the expansion of AI infrastructures, as more and more voices are raised to express their concerns.
The emblematic case of Michigan
The municipality of Saline Township in Michigan has become a central symbol of this protest. A $16 billion data center project, backed by giants like Oracle and OpenAI, has sparked strong mobilization among residents. Named “The Barn,” this ambitious project is expected to cover nearly 100 acres, but faces growing opposition that is hindering its progress. Other similar projects in the state have also been slowed down or abandoned due to community pressure.
The diversity of concerns
The concerns of citizens are not limited to environmental issues. Many perceive data centers as the symbol of the rise of artificial intelligence and the profound upheavals it could bring. Complaints from local residents touch on the ugliness of large constructions, the incessant noise from generators, and the threat these infrastructures pose to water resources. Surveys even indicate that some Americans would prefer to live near a nuclear power plant rather than a data center.
An evolving movement
This strong opposition to the establishment of data centers has triggered a wave of social tension, illustrated by a “resurgence of violent rhetoric and threats,” as noted in an article by the Wall Street Journal. Even as the political direction of the country, under the administration of Donald Trump, bet on rapid AI development as key to technological competition with China, citizen resistance imposes a new dynamic.
Government measures in response
In response to this rise in tensions, measures are beginning to be taken. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order temporarily suspending the construction of new data centers with a capacity greater than 50 megawatts of electricity, a first in the country. This gesture illustrates an awareness of the implications of data center expansion, as citizens’ concerns become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Immediate consequences
The ongoing mobilization is already beginning to have repercussions on the industry. In the first quarter of 2026, at least twenty data center projects, totaling investments of $42 billion and an electrical capacity of 3.5 gigawatts, have been abandoned due to public pressure. This setback could slow down an industry projected to experience explosive growth, with global investments in data centers dedicated to AI potentially reaching $3 trillion by 2030.
