At Least 125 Rallies! Citizens Across the U.S. Take to the Streets to Protest Uncontrolled Expansion of AI Data Centers

Public frustration is mounting across the United States over the massive infrastructure demands behind the AI industry.

According to Reuters, a nationwide protest took place on Saturday (the 18th) in at least 125 locations, led by the grassroots organization 'Humans First,' opposing the 'uncontrolled expansion' of AI data centers and its impact on public welfare.

The protests focus on the chain of problems triggered by data center construction. Despite strong community opposition, some local officials have signed confidentiality agreements with developers, approving projects without public oversight—leading to skyrocketing electricity bills, water resource diversion, and worsening environmental pollution.

A Reuters poll conducted last month found that only 33% of respondents believed that 'rapid construction of data centers is overall more beneficial than harmful,' and only 14% supported building one in their own neighborhood.

Notably, opposition to the expansion of AI data centers has become one of the rare issues that transcends ideological divides in the United States.

Amy Kremer, co-founder of 'Humans First,' criticized Republicans for giving tech giants a 'green light all the way,' but also clearly stated she does not support extreme measures like the 'complete moratorium on approvals' seen in Democratic-led regions such as New York State.

'Humans First' has put forward four core demands: ensuring transparent development processes, protecting local resources and the environment, enabling communities to share in high-wage union jobs and other economic benefits, and establishing strict accountability mechanisms to prevent developers from breaking promises.

This weekend's nationwide wave of protests highlights the increasingly sharp contradictions over the social costs hidden beneath technological prosperity.