Protesters in over 100 locations rallied Saturday against AI data centers. The movement could slow construction and raise costs for Google and Meta, adding risk for investors.
A nationwide protest movement against AI data centers gained momentum Saturday, with more than 100 demonstrations planned across the US. The rallies, organized by the conservative nonprofit Humans First, targeted the rapid expansion of facilities that power artificial intelligence.
The group's leader, Amy Kremer, a veteran grassroots organizer with ties to the Tea Party and Women for Trump, said communities have been left out of decisions about data center construction. "We have no voice in how the technology is used or how it impacts our lives," Kremer told Business Insider last month.
In Kenilworth, New Jersey, a crowd gathered outside the municipal court to oppose a $1.8 billion data center approved by the local planning board last May. A petition to halt construction gained over 12,000 signatures in a town of about 8,500 residents. "Build community, not data centers," one sign read.
The backlash comes as tech companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft pour billions into data center infrastructure to meet AI demand. President Donald Trump has backed the Stargate Project, a $500 billion initiative to accelerate federal permitting. The protests signal that community opposition could slow the buildout.
Critics worry data centers drain water, raise electricity bills, and degrade local quality of life. Some groups have sued, swarmed planning meetings, and pushed for moratoriums. Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders have called for a nationwide pause. Humans First, however, opposes a broad moratorium, arguing each community should decide.
For investors, the growing resistance adds a new risk factor. Data center construction costs could rise as permitting delays and legal challenges mount. Shares of companies tied to the AI buildout have already priced in aggressive growth. Any sign of a slowdown could weigh on valuations, adding a layer of uncertainty the stock market analysis must now weigh.
Humans First plans to continue organizing. "This is the most important fight of our lifetime," Kremer said last month.
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