Senator Bernie Sanders on Sunday advocated for a moratorium on data-processing sites that support the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” he emphasized the need for thorough discussions on how AI is benefiting the wealthiest Americans and its broader economic implications.
Sanders, the 84-year-old Vermont senator, expressed concern that the U.S. has not adequately addressed the issues surrounding AI, particularly its impact on employment and children. “I think we need to be thinking seriously about a moratorium on these data centers,” he stated during the program’s AI special.
He criticized the prevailing narrative from tech leaders, stating, “It’s not good enough for the oligarchs to tell us, ‘It’s coming, you adapt.’ What are they gonna do when people have no jobs?” Data centers play a vital role in training AI models, and major tech companies like Google, OpenAI, and X are in a fierce competition to construct more of these facilities.
Sanders also raised concerns about the environmental impact of these data centers, alongside rising electricity costs that are affecting communities across the nation. He noted, “We’re seeing data centers sprouting all over the country, raising electric bills for people in the communities.” Earlier this month, he had already endorsed a national moratorium on AI, arguing that democracy must keep pace with technological advancements.
Contrasting Sanders’ views, the Trump administration has embraced AI, framing it as crucial for competing with China. The administration has encouraged tech giants to aggressively pursue AI development. Recently, Trump appointed David Sacks as his AI and crypto czar and issued an executive order aimed at minimizing state-level regulations on AI. This order empowers the Justice Department to challenge states that impose restrictions on AI technologies.
Sanders expressed concern over the influence of big tech on government policy, suggesting that the Trump administration has been swayed by powerful industry interests. “Look, Elon Musk himself contributed over $270 million to elect Donald Trump the president,” he remarked, adding that the tech industry has formed super PACs to prevent meaningful regulation.
Despite Sanders’ push for a more cautious approach, some Republican figures, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri, are also advocating for stricter regulations on AI. However, Sanders’ call for a moratorium on AI data centers is more extensive than proposals from many of his political peers.
The ongoing expansion of data centers has generated pushback from various communities across the country, concerned about their local impacts. As the debate escalates, the need for a balanced approach to AI regulation becomes increasingly vital, as stakeholders from all sectors grapple with the technology’s rapid evolution and its ramifications for society.
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