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America’s AI backlash will change the world

Global sell-off continues after scores of anti-data centre candidates win election

The city of Harwood in North Dakota does not have much to put it on the
map. With a population of 794, the town is best known for a heroic
operation in 1997 when locals built a five-mile wall to keep out floods, as
well as its wonderfully relaxed local motto: “It’s all good.”

Harwood’s easygoing nature became more apparent this week when it became
the only place in America to vote in favour of data centres. Around 325
voters, three quarters of turnout, voted against a proposal to slow large
industrial developments including data centres. The measure, if passed, may
have affected plans for a $3bn (£2.2bn) development by the tech company
Applied Digital near the town.

The vote was conspicuous by being unique.
There were 47 local referendums on data centres this week; 46 voted to make
it harder to build the giant facilities that are crucial to artificial
intelligence. Combined with a blue wave that elected many anti-data centre
Democratic candidates, the results sent a straightforward message. Despite
the promise of jobs and investment, Americans do not want data centres
where they live – if they want them at all.

Telegraph 6th Nov 2026, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/11/06/americas-ai-backlash-will-change-the-world/

November 10, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | technology