NEWS · COMPANIES · #3167
Meta warns election-driven data-center backlash could make AI expansion harder
Meta President Dina Powell McCormick told the WSJ Tech Conference that Democratic midterm wins and a backlash against local data centers are likely to make it harder for companies to build the infrastructure needed for AI. She said negative sentiment about data centers reflects broader feelings about AI, highlighted Meta’s 20 years building centers (in 23 states with five 1+ GW projects including one in Texas), and pointed to consumer AI agent Muse (about 10 million users) and leasing excess compute as paths to value.
KEY POINTS
- Meta President Dina Powell McCormick told the WSJ Tech Conference that Democratic midterm wins and a backlash against local data centers are likely to make it harder for companies to build the infrastructure needed for AI.
- She said negative sentiment about data centers reflects broader feelings about AI, highlighted Meta’s 20 years building centers (in 23 states with five 1+ GW projects including one in Texas), and pointed to consumer AI agent Muse (about 10 million users) and leasing excess compute as paths to value.
- Who can build and site the physical compute that powers AI matters politically and economically, and rising community resistance could limit where and how AI systems scale.
WHY IT MATTERS
Who can build and site the physical compute that powers AI matters politically and economically, and rising community resistance could limit where and how AI systems scale.