Sanders Urges Moratorium On AI Data Centers To ‘Give Democracy A Chance’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Tuesday he will push for a moratorium on construction of AI data centers, arguing that a pause is necessary to "give democracy a chance to catch up" as the development of artificial intelligence and robotics proceeds at an "unregulated sprint."

In a video posted to the social platform X, Sanders called AI and robotics among the most transformative technologies in human history and said their rapid development will profoundly affect every American.

"Needless to say, there is a whole lot about AI and robotics that needs to be discussed, needs to be analyzed. But one thing is for sure, this process is moving very, very quickly, and we need to slow it down," Sanders said. "We need all of our people involved in determining the future of AI, and not just a handful of multibillionaires."

Sanders emphasized concerns that a small group of extremely wealthy technology backers are shaping AI development with primary aims of increasing their own wealth and power, rather than protecting working families. He noted that several AI leaders themselves have warned about the technology's effects on employment, including projections of significant job losses.

"If AI and robotics eliminate millions of jobs and create massive unemployment, how will people survive if they have no income?" Sanders asked, adding his view that few members of Congress are taking those risks seriously.

He also warned about the social impacts of AI on young people, saying children are becoming more isolated and increasingly turning to technology for emotional support.

Data Centers, Energy Use and Congressional Scrutiny

Data centers are central to the expansion of AI because companies need large-scale computing to train advanced models. That growth has drawn scrutiny for its sizable energy demands and potential effects on consumer electricity costs.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Tuesday they are investigating links between data center energy consumption and rising household electric bills. The senators sent letters to several companies involved in the buildout and urged that data centers pay a greater share of upfront costs for future energy use and necessary upgrades to the electrical grid.

The proposal for a moratorium is likely to spark debate among lawmakers, industry groups and municipal planners weighing economic development, energy infrastructure and the social consequences of rapidly advancing AI. Sanders has called for broader public deliberation and stronger legislative oversight before construction and deployment proceed at current speeds.