Conservative grassroots revolt against data centers finds common ground with the left

On a humid Saturday morning in central Florida, dozens of residents gathered outside a library branch to oppose hyperscale data center construction in their region—even though their county commission had already paused new facilities for a year. For organizers like Carol, a retired radio host and self-described conservative, a temporary moratorium wasn't enough. They wanted a permanent ban.

The backlash against data centers has quietly become one of the few issues bridging America's partisan divide. A recent Gallup survey found that 70% of Americans oppose data center construction near their homes. Nearly two-thirds of Republicans and 75% of Democrats voiced the same objection, suggesting that concerns about these sprawling facilities transcend typical political boundaries.

Shared concerns across the political spectrum#

Carol raised a range of worries about the facilities. Beyond the constant humming noise—which she compared to a high-pitched drone—she pointed to potential electromagnetic frequencies that might harm pollinators and bees. She also mentioned cattle ranches near data centers experiencing stillborn births, though such claims remain anecdotal. On a broader level, she fretted about AI's social impact, noting acquaintances who she felt had become overly dependent on ChatGPT for daily decisions.

These grassroots conservatives share much with progressive opponents: environmental costs of construction and operation, concerns about AI's role in surveillance and mental health effects, and worries that local quality of life would suffer. Yet conservative activists also emphasize a distinctly right-wing anxiety: fears about Chinese technology dependence. Hyperscale data centers source electrical components from China, a fact that animates national security concerns among some opponents.

A movement with roots in conservative activism#

The national organizing effort behind these protests comes from Humans First, which frames itself as a grassroots conservative movement fighting to keep AI development in public hands. The organization is led by Amy Kremer, a prominent conservative organizer with deep ties to the Tea Party and Trump's political machinery, though Kremer herself did not participate in the January 6th Capitol invasion.

Despite its partisan leadership and roots as a Center for AI Safety offshoot, the movement's local chapters focus on issues that transcend left-right politics. At the Florida rally, participants referenced on data centers. A group member working in IT noted the usefulness of coverage from a left-leaning outlet, demonstrating how the issue has created unexpected intellectual alliances.