Political backlash against AI is growing in the US and beyond

In short: Worry about artificial intelligence is rising, and politicians are starting to respond with proposals to slow it down or tax it.

What's going on

A Financial Times column says public anxiety about AI is building into a broader political mood, sometimes called anti-AI populism. In a US survey cited in the piece, more than 70% of Americans said AI is developing “too fast.” More than 40% said they do not trust AI.

A big fear is jobs. People worry that “bots” and automated software could replace workers, especially in office and service jobs. The column cites a Goldman Sachs estimate that 300 million jobs worldwide could be exposed to automation over the next decade, meaning parts of those jobs could be done by software.

In the US, concerns also include the physical footprint of AI. Building AI systems often requires large data centers, which are buildings full of computers (like warehouses packed with servers). The column notes local pushback over land use, electricity demand, and privacy. A tracker cited by the FT says 19 US states have or are considering restrictions on these data centers.

Politicians in both major parties are testing ideas. Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have called for a national pause on new data center construction. Senator Elizabeth Warren proposed taxing AI companies. On the Republican side, Senator Josh Hawley warned of a “political cost” to being closely tied to pro-AI groups. President Donald Trump backed an idea where the public would get stakes in AI companies.

What to watch

The FT suggests a major incident, like a large job shock or a serious security breach, could quickly intensify public anger. More gradual pressure could also build if people connect AI to higher energy costs or widening inequality. Governments may face a choice between strict limits and more measured rules, plus support like retraining for workers.

Source: Financial Times