AI data centers are facing opposition, and Silicon Valley giants are spending money to "put out the fire." According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. technology companies are seeking public support through open days, promised jobs and huge sums of money to promote the construction of data centers.

AI data centers are facing opposition, and Silicon Valley giants are spending money to "put out the fire." According to the Wall Street Journal, American technology companies are seeking public support through open days, promised jobs, and huge sums of money to promote the construction of data centers. In July, about a thousand residents of Georgia gathered, holding slogans such as "I didn't vote for AI" and "Data can't be treated as water to drink." They listened to a briefing on OpenAI's proposed data center - burritos and up to $71 million in programming learning credits were also placed on the scene, and they pledged to invest $80 million in the community. From secrecy advancement to "sweetener" offensive. In the past, the industry relied on rapid advancement, confidentiality operations and political connections to gain ground. Now, grassroots opposition has threatened the foundation of AI prosperity: multiple projects have been derailed, and political allies have withdrawn. Technology giants have fully turned to "fire extinguishing", adding job security and clean water investment to the deal, and promoting data centers to reduce residents' tax burdens; Meta has established a US$1 billion community fund, and Zuckerberg wrote a 6,500-word long article saying that the Hyperion project has driven local teachers to receive bonuses of up to US$50,000, and promised to achieve "positive water benefits" by 2030. Data centers have become the most prominent political issue: Gallup shows that 71% of Americans oppose local construction. A record number of projects were blocked or delayed in the first quarter of 2026. New York State has temporarily banned large-scale construction and Pennsylvania has imposed strict regulations. After last year's election, Microsoft realized that the issue was decisive, so it stopped signing community confidentiality agreements and launched a package of commitments on electricity, water, employment, and taxes. Amazon and others also signed the White House's "Taxpayer Protection Commitment" to bear the electricity bills themselves and not pass them on to consumers. However, academics have warned that there is a disconnect between public relations rhetoric and actual actions - talking about being a good neighbor while opposing the construction moratorium bill. Microsoft President Smith also admitted that promotional activities lacking substance have limited effect. "People are smart and will find information on their own." Whether this "fire extinguishing" can be effective still depends on whether the giants can implement their promises. via AI News (author: AI Base)