AI data center outrage is showing up everywhere from ads to elections

AI Age
Published Thu, Aug 20 2026 10:03 AM EDT
Updated Thu, Aug 20 2026 11:56 AM EDT

Ashley Capoot
Garrett Downs
Key Points

• With less than three months until the midterm elections, opposition to AI data centers is becoming a bipartisan rallying cry in a growing number of states.
• On a major primary election day, a pair of beverage companies seized on data center opposition and released a satirical ad about the facilities’ water usage.
• It was a key issue in Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, which was won by Rep. Byron Donalds. Donalds was backed by major crypto PACs, but proposed restrictions on data centers in Florida.
• That same day Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order placing harsh standards on data center development in his state.

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Edited by Yiannis Damellos

Illustrations: IntellAIgence - AI-generated art & digital creativity

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