Peter Griffin: With US tech bros set to lose their shield, can rational debate on AI and data centres now begin?

Résumé détaillé

T he tech bros bought access. American voters have just changed the locks. The Democrats’ sweeping victory in the US midterm elections, delivering control of both houses of Cong…

The US Democratic landslide could give New Zealand more room to set its own rules on AI and data centres. Photo / Getty Images o

The tech bros bought access. American voters have just changed the locks. The Democrats’ sweeping victory in the US midterm elections, delivering control of both houses of Congress, is a brutal setback for Donald Trump. For the technology billionaires who cosied up to him, it pokes holes in the protective umbrella he held over their businesses.

That umbrella never covered everything. Antitrust cases continued, though the penalties were anaemic. But the message from the White House was unmistakable – build the data centres, accelerate artificial intelligence and follow the aggressive playbook that enabled social media and cloud giants to stamp their mark on tech worldwide.

The companies obliged with donations, presidential flattery and appearances that bulldozed the boundary between government and Silicon Valley. The world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk, tipped US$474 million (NZ$841m)into supporting mid-term election campaigns for Republican candidates, US$200m in Texas alone, where his companies Tesla and SpaceX are based. It’s just pocket money for Musk. But now the weather is turning.

“Data centres in space looking pretty appealing right now,” Musk wrote on X, realising his plan to turn Texas into a data centre hub had taken a blow.

Democratic committee chairs will be able to summon executives, demand documents and investigate the relationship between political access, federal contracts and regulatory favours. Congressional control also brings leverage over spending legislation. An invitation to Washington will more likely mean a grilling rather than a banquet and a photo opportunity.

Yes, Trump remains President, with a veto and considerable executive authority. The new Congress takes office in January. This is not an overnight transfer of technology policy to sensible adults, nor proof that Democrats will suddenly stop courting wealthy…

But…

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