Smash Notes

Will Every State Ban Data Centers?

at 26:05

From the episode: Arvind Krishna & Nikesh Arora: Quantum Threat, Open vs Frontier AI, AI Cyber Warfare & SaaS Collapse

Answer

Arvind Krishna says there is no chance all 50 states will ban data centers. A ban in 30 states is possible, and the remaining 20 would rub their hands in glee.

Krishna says the regulation question on AI and data centers is driven by populism. A politician who can win more votes by looking ready to act will feel that pressure, and the pressure is real. Enough people also care deeply about the long-term economic advantage, so policy is a balancing act. Krishna says the country is on the correct balance right now, though an election can change where it falls.

The question has been active since 2022. The Senate held closed hearings in 2022 and open hearings in 2023. Congress held hearings too, and the White House held them under both administrations.

Grokipedia·White House·Senate

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