On a gray, humid Saturday morning in central Florida, a small group of protesters gathered outside the Spring Hill Branch Library to oppose the construction of a hyperscale data center in their community. Though the Hernando County commission had already approved a one-year moratorium on such developments, the organizers wanted a permanent ban. Among them was Carol, a 71-year-old retired country music radio host and staunch conservative, who wore a red T-shirt with an American flag made of sea turtles. She described the humming noise from data centers as a constant, unbearable whine that would harm bees and other pollinators. She also expressed concerns about the social impact of AI, recounting a story of a woman who cut off friends because ChatGPT told her to.
The rally was one of nearly 150 protests organized by Humans First, a conservative social movement dedicated to ensuring that AI remains under human control. The group, once a bipartisan offshoot of the Center for AI Safety, is now led by Amy Kremer, a veteran conservative organizer who helped shape the Tea Party and co-founded Women for Trump. Kremer also co-founded Women for America First, which hosted the Stop the Steal rally that preceded the January 6th Capitol riots. Despite Kremer's partisan background, the concerns raised in Hernando County were distinctly local and cross-party. Participants focused on noise pollution, environmental destruction, national security fears related to Chinese-manufactured chips, and the broader ethical problems of AI, including surveillance and mental health impacts.
Kim Belanger, a member of the local group No Data Centers Hernando County, works in IT and shared an article from the progressive website More Perfect Union. Despite the room leaning conservative, she found the article informative. Patti Zirhut, the organizer, learned about Humans First on Facebook and readily joined the national day of action. Zirhut described herself as very conservative but felt betrayed by Florida's Republican leadership, particularly Governor Ron DeSantis. She praised DeSantis's initial skepticism of AI but criticized his administration for granting tax breaks to data center developers. DeSantis signed a law requiring hyperscale data centers to cover their own utility costs and allowing local governments to set water use regulations, but the Tampa Bay Times reported that his administration also gave millions in tax breaks. Zirhut and others are also concerned about a DeSantis-backed ballot amendment that would eliminate property taxes for most homeowners, potentially making data center developments more appealing to cash-strapped county governments.
The opposition has become a litmus test in the upcoming gubernatorial primary. Representative Byron Donalds, the Republican front-runner and a vocal supporter of data center construction, faces backlash from his own party. Donalds has received over $5 million in donations from Leading the Future, a pro-AI super PAC funded by Andreessen Horowitz and Joe Lonsdale of Palantir. He also received $500,000 from American Mission, which is itself funded by Leading the Future. Despite his support for data centers, Donalds recently announced legislation to prevent data centers from driving up utility costs, attempting to strike a middle ground. But for Zirhut, that is not enough. She stated, “If Byron Donalds wins the primary, I’m voting Democrat. I will not vote for him.” She added that many conservatives feel the same way, prioritizing human life over party loyalty.
Across Florida, more than 20 counties and municipalities have discussed or passed moratoria on data center construction, according to Politico. In Citrus County, the sponsor of a controversial 800-acre data center withdrew after the county commission approved a one-year moratorium. Dan Diorio of the Data Center Coalition, an industry lobbying group, warned that local moratoriums send a signal that the area is closed for business. But organizers like Zirhut see it differently. They are not anti-growth, but they oppose government handouts to large developers with no ties to the community. Zirhut said she would prefer local builders who understand Florida's unique environmental challenges. She also expressed concerns about AI-driven mass surveillance, particularly after the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office installed surveillance cameras on local roads.
The conservative backlash to data centers is part of a broader bipartisan movement across the United States. A Gallup poll found that seven in 10 Americans oppose data center construction in their area, with nearly two-thirds of Republicans and 75 percent of Democrats objecting. The concerns are similar: environmental damage, ethical issues with AI, and fears that data centers will lower their quality of life. But there are also partisan anxieties, especially among conservatives, about Chinese infiltration of US technology. Carol, the retired radio host, questioned the safety of chips sourced from China, saying, “We’re blindly trusting the Chinese? To give us chips?” Conservative proponents of data centers, meanwhile, claim that China is funding anti-AI campaigns in the United States.
Humans First, despite its conservative leadership, has attracted members from across the political spectrum. The group’s focus on local issues and skepticism of large-scale development resonates with left-leaning environmentalists and right-wing populists alike. At the Hernando County rally, the gathering ended with a lecture from a land use expert on how to change zoning codes to prevent hyperscale data centers. The expert explained that such facilities typically occupy at least 10,000 square feet and require a minimum of 100 megawatts of energy. The attendees listened intently, ready to take action at the county commission level.
Zirhut’s stance reflects a growing disillusionment with Republican leadership on development issues. She was a big supporter of Governor DeSantis initially but now feels he has prioritized outside investment over the well-being of Floridians. She mentioned that even the agriculture commissioner, Wilton Simpson, a Republican, allows herbicide and pesticide spraying that kills vegetation in lakes. For Zirhut, the data center issue is part of a larger fight against unbridled development and the erosion of local control. She is willing to cross party lines if needed, a sentiment echoed by many in the community.
The national conversation around data centers and AI is intensifying. In addition to the protests, lawmakers in Washington are preparing bills requiring AI “kill switches,” and the Federal Communications Commission is scrutinizing the role of AI in telecommunications. Meanwhile, Google faces a $1 billion fine for breaking EU antitrust rules, and Meta is dealing with social media addiction lawsuits. The intersection of technology, policy, and local activism is becoming a defining issue of the decade, with data centers serving as a flashpoint.
For the protesters in Hernando County, the fight is just beginning. They plan to continue collecting signatures, attending county commission meetings, and educating their neighbors. Carol summed up the sentiment: “We are going to fight, fight, fight.” The bipartisan nature of the backlash suggests that data centers may become a unifying issue in an otherwise polarized country. As the movement grows, it could reshape not only local zoning laws but also the political alignments of the future.
Source:The Verge News