There is a lot of discussion about data centers in America today. But how much of it is a genuine debate about the future of our nation’s digital infrastructure, and how much is driven by something more nefarious?
An investigation published by The Daily Wire reveals that a coordinated, foreign-backed influence operation is actively targeting American citizens, inflaming local tensions to stop data center development and slow down the United States in the global artificial intelligence race.
Originally published at The Daily Wire.
Key Findings from the Investigation
1. Social Media Astro-Turfing Managed in Bangladesh
The operation relies on social media pages posting “AI-sloppy” but beautiful landscapes featuring recognizable local landmarks coupled with identical anti-data-center messaging:
“It’s not worth giving up an inch of this to a data center.”
Despite these pages claiming to represent local grassroots coalitions in Chicago, Washington, Ohio, Utah, and Kentucky, an inspection of their page transparency reveals they are almost entirely managed by individuals located in Bangladesh.
2. The Strategic Goal: Stall American AI Infrastructure
Why do foreign powers care about local zoning permits in the American heartland? Because data centers are the physical engines of artificial intelligence.
Experts estimate that American frontier AI models are currently about six months ahead of our closest foreign competitors in China. In the AI sector, six months is a lifetime. It represents the crucial difference between defending against or succumbing to cyber warfare, hacking, and foreign espionage. If adversaries can convince Americans to block data centers, they can freeze our technological growth and close the gap.
3. Dark Money and Foreign Influence
The digital astro-turfing is only the tip of the iceberg:
- Department of the Interior Warnings: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum recently warned that “foreign-sourced, dark money” has been actively funding anti-data-center advocacy inside the United States.
- The Intelligence & Energy Connection: A report in American Intelligence placed these campaigns in a broader historical context: foreign actors using “green” and “environmental” concerns as a front to discourage American energy and technological independence.
- Chinese Funding Links: An exposé by the Bitcoin Policy Institute connected the dots between specific Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-funded entities and U.S.-based dark-money organizations that are pushing anti-AI and anti-data-center messaging.
- Active Capitol Hill Lobbying: The influence isn’t just behind the scenes. Senator Bernie Sanders recently brought two Chinese professors—including an active Counselor of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China—to Capitol Hill for an event urging the U.S. to “slow down” on AI development.
The Double Standard: China’s Massive Energy Expansion
While foreign-backed networks urge Americans to shut down energy and technology projects, China is doing the exact opposite.
China already generates more than double the electricity that the United States does. Since 2005, China has expanded its power capacity roughly fivefold, while America’s has remained flat. Furthermore, reports indicate that China plans to triple its energy capacity over the next 25 years to support their own advanced AI systems.
Adversaries are actively trying to persuade America to unilaterally disarm in the energy and technology race while they sprint ahead.
Securing America’s AI Future
America’s future energy and computational needs are immense. As entrepreneur and investor David Friedberg (host of The All-In Podcast) has noted, expanding our domestic energy production is vital for fueling economic growth and can even help pay down our national debt.
Unlike state-funded initiatives in China, American AI infrastructure is funded by the private sector—meaning taxpayers are on the hook for very little. Additionally, policies like President Donald Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Plan, bipartisan congressional efforts, and commitments from leading tech companies ensure that expanding our capacity will protect American ratepayers from cost increases.
The Verdict: Stay Vigilant
Americans must look closely at who is pushing inflammatory, fear-based messages about AI and data centers into their newsfeeds. These campaigns are designed to divide communities and exploit legitimate local concerns for foreign strategic gain.
When evaluating the future of our digital infrastructure, we must ask ourselves the ultimate question:
Who benefits if America loses the AI race?
Read the full original article and detailed report at The Daily Wire.