The Battle Behind the AI Race: Data Centers, Resources and Local Communities

When we think about the race for artificial intelligence supremacy, what comes to mind is the competition between governments, technology companies and scientific institutions. Governments have invested heavily in developing powerful AI systems aiming at maintaining technological leadership which is also connected to  economic competitiveness, national security and international influence.

However, the 2026 US midterm elections have demonstrated that it’s also a competition that involves the people, and particularly those  living next to the infrastructure required to sustain it.

This became a key issue across the United States. According to NBC exit polls, 56% of voters considered AI data centers a crucial or major factor in their congressional vote. 76% opposed the construction of a new data center in their community. What’s revealing is that an important part of Republican voters also expressed resistance which presents a political challenge for the Trump administration.

The expansion of AI infrastructure has been a central element of its technological and economic ambitions. He has facilitated  investment and reduced regulatory obstacles for data centers projects since from his perspective it’s linked infrastructure expansion to American technological dominance, economic prosperity and national security. 

The resistance is not a rejection of technological progress, it’s about the growing concerns about the costs of that progress. Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity, water, and their construction can place additional pressure on local infrastructure. In some areas near significant data centre activity, electricity prices increased by as much as 267% between 2020 and 2025, according to Bloomberg. Therefore communities are questioning if the benefits justify the additional pressure on their resources.

Why data centers have become strategic infrastructure

This backlash is important beyond only American domestic politics. Data centers are the physical infrastructure that allows digital services to operate, information to be stored and processed, and AI systems to be trained and deployed. Modern AI depends on enormous computing capacity, particularly advanced processors, networking equipment and reliable electricity supplies. 

In geopolitical terms, this makes data centres increasingly important strategic assets. Countries that control their own computing infrastructure have greater capacity to develop AI domestically, protect sensitive information and reduce their dependence on foreign technology providers.

This is not only about commercial applications, AI is increasingly relevant to military planning, intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, scientific research and industrial production. Access to computing capacity can therefore influence both economic competitiveness and national security. 

Could China benefit from America's infrastructure problem?

China is the main competitor to the US in the global AI race, and this backlash raises the question if this could give Beijing an advantage.

For now, the United States retains a substantial lead in advanced AI computing infrastructure. A 2025 Federal Reserve analysis estimated that the US controlled approximately 74% of global high-end AI supercomputer capacity, compared with 14% for China. These figures measure advanced computing capacity, not the total number of data centres or overall AI capabilities. 

However, the competition also encompasses other areas. China has several structural advantages, especially in electricity generation and infrastructure development because its state-directed approach allows national authorities to coordinate investment, planning and prioritizing.  on a scale that can be more difficult to replicate in a politically decentralized system.

This does not mean China is guaranteed to overtake the United States. They also face computing infrastructure  challenges like access to advanced semiconductors and efficiency problems. In 2026 there was also an assessment that showed concerns that parts of China's data center expansion have produced facilities that do not properly match  the needs of advanced AI development.

Nevertheless, American infrastructure difficulties could create opportunities for China, not immediately but could weaken over time the foundations supporting American technological competitiveness.

Can democratic governments win the AI race?

This brings us to a broader question: can democratic governments compete in a technological race that requires the ability to mobilize resources, coordinate investment and build demanding infrastructure?

The American case shows the  tension between national strategic priorities and local democratic decision-making. Europe faces a different version of the same dilemma. Its approach places greater emphasis on environmental sustainability and  regulation. 

Democratic governments cannot simply dismiss public opposition in the name of technological competition and they can't assume that private investment is all it takes ignoring the challenges associated with AI expansion.

The answer may lie in making the costs more fairly dealt with for the communities and that energy and environmental consequences are addressed before projects are approved.

Ultimately, the ability to build infrastructure is indeed  a measure of national competitiveness, but the ability to maintain fair political and social conditions that allow it to happen too.