AI DATA CENTERS TOOK A BEATING IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS . A RECKONING MAY BE AHEAD FOR TECH GIANTS

What happened: After a campaign season of outrage against AI data centers, midterm elections brought in Democrats pledging to clamp down on the energy-hungry facilities, with a tougher regulatory environment expected to follow. Key numbers: Campaigns spent more than $380 million on TV ads mentioning data centers, with Democrats outspending Why it matters: Morgan Stanley said Democratic wins carry greater expectations for data center restrictions that could split the country into areas open to new data centers and those without, and flagged Texas and Ohio as risks for project delays. Coverage: 4 outlets in 24h

After a campaign season of outrage against AI data centers, midterm elections brought in Democrats pledging to clamp down on the energy-hungry facilities, with a tougher regulatory environment expected to follow.

Morgan Stanley said Democratic wins carry greater expectations for data center restrictions that could split the country into areas open to new data centers and those without, and flagged Texas and Ohio as risks for project delays.