Data Centers: How 2023 Made Them the New Front Stage

For years, data centers remained largely invisible to the average American. These server farms, the critical backbone of the internet, rarely sparked public interest or political debate. However, that has dramatically changed. As we move into 2024 and look ahead to 2025, data centers have become a focal point of controversy, inspiring protests and raising critical questions about energy consumption, environmental impact, and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. This shift marks a significant moment, transforming these once-hidden facilities into a highly visible and contested part of the national landscape.

The Rising Tide of Activism Against Data Centers

Over the past year, opposition to data center development has surged across the United States. Data Center Watch, a leading organization tracking anti-data center activism, reports that there are currently 142 activist groups in 24 states actively organizing against new projects. This widespread resistance highlights a growing public concern about the implications of this massive infrastructure buildout.

Activists voice a variety of concerns, including:

• Environmental Impact: Concerns about water usage, land use, and electronic waste generated by data centers.
• Potential Health Impacts: Worries about electromagnetic fields and other potential health hazards.
• AI Ethics: Questions surrounding the ethical implications of the artificial intelligence applications these data centers support.
• Electricity Costs: The most pressing issue – the fear that increased demand from data centers is driving up local electricity bills for residents.

An Explosive Growth in Data Center Construction

This surge in activism is a direct response to the unprecedented growth of the data center industry. Fueled by the booming AI sector and the ever-increasing demand for cloud computing, construction spending on data centers has skyrocketed. Recent data from the US Census Bureau reveals a staggering 331% increase in construction spending since 2021. This translates to hundreds of billions of dollars invested in new data center projects.

The pace of development is so rapid that many experts believe a significant portion of proposed projects may never be completed. Despite this, the buildout continues unabated, with major tech giants leading the charge.

Big Tech's Massive Investments

Companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon have all announced substantial capital expenditure plans for the coming years, with a significant portion allocated to data center infrastructure. This commitment underscores the critical role these facilities play in their respective business strategies and the broader AI revolution.

The Role of Government and the "Stargate Project"

The push for new AI infrastructure isn't solely driven by the private sector. The US government, under the Trump administration, has prioritized artificial intelligence, making it a central component of its agenda. The Stargate Project, announced in January, signaled a commitment to “re-industrializing the United States” through massive investments in AI infrastructure, further accelerating the data center buildout.

From Invisible Backbone to Public Scrutiny

As the industry scales exponentially, it has been thrust into the public spotlight, and with that exposure comes backlash. Danny Candejas, an activist with the non-profit MediaJustice, has been actively involved in protests against data centers, including a demonstration in Memphis, Tennessee, opposing the expansion of Colossus, a project from Elon Musk’s startup, xAI.

Candejas shared with GearTech that he is encountering new individuals weekly who are interested in organizing against data center developments in their communities. “I don’t think this is going to stop anytime soon,” he stated. “I think it’s going to keep building, and we’re going to see more wins—more projects are going to be stopped.”

Community Resistance Across the Nation

This sentiment is echoed across the country. Communities are reacting to proposed server farms with increasing opposition. In Michigan, where developers are considering 16 potential locations, protesters recently rallied at the state capitol, voicing their concerns: “Michiganders do not want data centers in our yards, in our communities.”

Similarly, in Wisconsin, local opposition appears to have dissuaded Microsoft from establishing a 244-acre data center in their town. In Southern California, the city of Imperial Valley filed a lawsuit to overturn county approval of a data center project, citing environmental concerns.

Political Implications and Rising Electricity Costs

The intensity of the discontent surrounding these projects has reached a point where politicians recognize its potential impact on elections. Reports indicate that rising electricity costs – widely attributed to the AI boom – could be a decisive issue in the 2026 midterm elections.

Candejas explained to GearTech that the connection between data centers and increasing energy bills is a key driver of public outrage. “So many of us are struggling month to month. Meanwhile, there’s this huge expansion of data centers…[People are wondering] Where is all that money coming from? How are our local governments giving away subsidies and public funds to incentivize these projects, when there’s so much need in our communities?”

Successes and the Industry's Response

The protests are demonstrably having an effect. Data Center Watch estimates that grassroots opposition has blocked or delayed approximately $64 billion worth of developments. Candejas believes that continued public pressure will yield further successes, sensing a “very palpable anger” surrounding the issue.

The tech industry is actively responding to this backlash. GearTech reported that the newly formed trade group, the National Artificial Intelligence Association (NAIA), is distributing talking points to members of Congress and organizing data center tours to showcase their value to voters. Companies like Meta are launching ad campaigns to highlight the economic benefits of data centers.

Looking Ahead: The Server Surge Continues

The tech industry’s ambitions in AI are inextricably linked to a massive expansion of computing infrastructure. Therefore, it’s likely that the server surge will continue in 2026, along with the accompanying backlash and polarization. The debate surrounding data centers is no longer confined to the tech industry; it has become a mainstream political and social issue, demanding attention and prompting a critical examination of the costs and benefits of the AI revolution. The future of data centers, and their place in our communities, remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: they are no longer operating in the shadows.