The Midterms’ Other Big Loser: AI
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TL;DR
- Pro-AI super PACs, backed by leaders from OpenAI and Anthropic, failed to impact key races in the 2026 midterms.
- Voters across the country rejected data center construction, with 43 out of 44 ballot measures limiting such projects passing.
- A significant majority of voters (57%) believe AI will do more harm than good, and a majority (56%) considered AI and data centers a major factor in their vote.
- The AI industry's political spending was less successful than Silicon Valley's efforts in the 2024 presidential election.
- Super PACs like Leading the Future and Public First spent millions but faced setbacks, including a loss in a Manhattan primary and ineffective support in competitive general election races.
- The election of Democratic governors in key states like Texas, Georgia, and Ohio, who vowed to scrutinize data center buildouts, poses a significant challenge to the industry.
- AI firms are already anticipating difficulties, with OpenAI rebranding data centers as 'compute campuses' and Meta acknowledging increased challenges in building them.
- The industry is advised to offer better deals to communities, as the power dynamic has shifted, giving communities more leverage.
- While AI and data centers were not the top issue for most voters in 2026, they could become a more significant factor in the 2028 elections if the industry does not address its public image issues.