Bernie Sanders and AOC propose a ban on data center construction

Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have jointly proposed legislation to ban the construction of new data centers in the U.S. that have peak power loads exceeding 20 megawatts. This move responds to growing concerns over the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure that supports artificial intelligence (AI) development. Their proposed ban would remain in effect until Congress enacts comprehensive AI regulations. The lawmakers cite warnings from prominent tech leaders—including Elon Musk, Demis Hassabis, Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Geoffrey Hinton—who have expressed fears about AI’s potential dangers and called for stricter oversight or development pauses. The proposed legislation aims not only to halt large-scale data center projects but also to introduce broader AI governance measures. These include government review and certification of AI models before release, protections against AI-driven job displacement, environmental safeguards related to data infrastructure, and requirements for union labor in construction. Additionally, the bill seeks to restrict the export of advanced AI chips