A conservative social movement group called Humans First, led by Amy Kremer, is organizing nationwide protests on July 18 against the rapid development of AI data centers across 22 states, including 11 in Texas. The group's primary concerns revolve around the lack of transparency in data center development, the potential for rising utility costs, increased water demand, noise, land-use changes, and national security risks associated with rapid AI expansion.
Humans First advocates for greater community clarity and choice regarding data center construction, arguing that approvals are often made "behind closed doors." The group points to a May Gallup poll indicating that over 70% of Americans do not want a data center in their "backyard." While not calling for a blanket moratorium, Humans First seeks more transparency and local decision-making in these projects, pushing for Congress to enact tighter guardrails on AI development.
Amy Kremer, a longtime supporter of former President Donald Trump and former Tea Party member, co-founded Women for Trump and Women for America First. She states that the technology can be "a tremendous benefit to the American people if it is built the right way, with an America First approach rather than a Big Tech first approach." She blames the federal government, but not Trump, for the current pace of expansion, while calling for Trump to implement stricter controls on AI technology.
The protests are framed as a community-driven response to what Humans First sees as a lack of public say in how AI technology impacts lives. The demonstrations aim to pressure officials to protect communities from the perceived negative consequences of unchecked AI growth, while also recognizing AI's potential for innovation if developed responsibly.
