The US midterm elections delivered a clear signal that concerns about artificial intelligence and data centers are influencing voters. NBC News’ national exit poll found that 65 percent of Democrats and 39 percent of Republicans considered the issues a crucial or major factor in their congressional vote.

Voters approved more than 40 measures aimed at slowing or banning data center growth. Candidates who called for AI regulation, including Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed and South Carolina senator-elect Dr. Annie Andrews, defeated Republican opponents who supported AI.

The results follow a growing debate over AI policy. A proposed state-level regulation ban included in the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act was later removed, but President Donald Trump signed an executive order in December 2025 that could withhold some federal funding from states passing what it describes as “onerous” AI laws.

Concerns have also spread beyond regulation. Communities near data centers have raised issues including public health, electricity costs and pollution. Lawsuits brought on behalf of children and adult users have alleged that AI chatbots contributed to harmful experiences, including dangerous medical decisions and suicide. States have continued to pass AI laws, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed new chatbot legislation shortly before the election.

The campaign against AI in schools has added to public criticism. Google has declined to offer schools a version of its classroom products without AI Mode or AI Overviews, prompting objections from education advocates. Fairplay executive director Josh Golin argued that schools should be able to turn off AI, while New York Mayor Zohan Mamdani accused Google of using its market power to push AI products on public schools.

Democratic candidates who won gubernatorial races in Ohio, Texas and Georgia—Amy Acton, Gina Hinojosa and Keisha Lance Bottoms—had supported data center moratoriums or greater accountability for developers. Data centers and AI safety also featured in Democratic victory speeches. Virginia Senator Mark Warner said decisions about AI, data centers and future jobs should not be left to Donald Trump and technology executives.

Sources: Mashable.