US lawmakers push for pause in data centres until AI safeguards in place

Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduce bill to pause AI rollout amid growing backlash to technology.Two progressive lawmakers in the United States are pushing for a moratorium on new AI data centres to ensure the rapidly-advancing technology does not threaten the “future of humanity”.The legislation unveiled by Senator Bernie Sanders and House Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday would pause the construction of data centres until the introduction of national safeguards to protect workers’ livelihoods, civil liberties and the environment.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Mexico will continue accepting Cuban medical workers despite US pressurelist 2 of 4Iranian foreign minister rejects talks with USlist 3 of 4Egypt says it is ready to host Iran de-escalation talkslist 4 of 4Migrants march in southern Mexico to denounce immigration restrictionsend of listSanders, an independent who represents the state of Vermont, said a moratorium was needed as lawmakers were “way behind” in their understanding of AI.“Bottom line: We cannot sit back and allow a handful of billionaire Big Tech oligarchs to make decisions that will reshape our economy, our democracy and the future of humanity,” Sanders said.“We need serious public debate and democratic oversight over this enormously consequential issue. The time for action is now. We need a federal moratorium on AI data centres,” he said.Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat who represents New York, said the lack of national legislation regulating AI had already led to harms ranging from mass government surveillance to the proliferation of sexually explicit deepfakes of women and children.“Congress has a moral obligation to stand with the American people and stop the expansion of these data centers until we have a framework to adequately address the existential harm AI poses to our society,” she said.“We must choose humanity over profit.”The Douglas County Google Data Center complex in Lithia Springs, Georgia, the US, on March 6, 2026 [Mike Stewart/AP Photo]The proposed legislation comes amid a growing grassroots backlash to the rollout of data centres, which consume huge amounts of water and electricity, in communities across the US.