Democrats won big on Election Day. But can they agree on AI?

Democrats across the country who swept into power amid growing voter skepticism about AI and data centers are now reckoning with knotty discussions about how to tackle AI regulation and which technological impacts deserve their attention first, according to AI experts, strategists and legislators themselves.

Dusted with confetti and batting away Election Day balloons, midterm victors touched on everything from data centers — Sen.-elect Chris Pappas of New Hampshire railed against the facilities that “harm our communities and our well-being” — to healthcare, as Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota committed to restricting the use of AI systems in insurance decisions.

The renewed calls for AI regulation are at odds with President Donald Trump’s insistence that Congress must limit AI-focused regulation or risk hampering American AI innovation. Trump has repeatedly referred to AI as a “golden goose” and data centers as sound economic investments.

It is unclear whether Tuesday’s results could create a new opening for meaningful bipartisan AI legislation — with representatives mindful of voters’ AI hawkishness — or instead result in messy infighting within the Democratic Party, Congress and Washington.

“Every Democrat in the House I’m speaking to wants to see AI regulation,” said incoming representative Scott Wiener, who…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business