China-linked bots fuel the U.S. data-center backlash amid AI policy debates

A security team on X identified 200,000 suspected Chinese accounts involved in influence operations, including 200 accounts posting to sway debates about AI and energy policy, such as claims that AI strains the grid and raises utility prices. Congressional Republicans are pressing for FBI/White House briefings on foreign influence campaigns aiming to hinder AI development and data-center expansion, citing estimates that opposition campaigns have delayed about $45.8 billion in Virginia data-center projects. Public opinion shows broad opposition to new data centers, underscoring a political and social pushback even as the AI boom relies on expanding data-center capacity.