From graduation boos to voter unease: AI anxiety grows in the US
A growing anti-AI sentiment in the U.S. has led to booing at graduation speeches by AI advocates like Eric Schmidt and Scott Borchetta, while voter opposition to data centers has escalated into violence, including Molotov attacks on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home. Polls show 70% of Americans believe AI is advancing too quickly, and even the Trump administration has shifted toward supporting AI regulations amid rising public anxiety over job displacement, misinformation, and infrastructure costs.
Public resistance to artificial intelligence in the U.S. is intensifying, with protests turning violent and political leaders reconsidering their pro-AI stances. At the University of Arizona, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt faced loud boos during a graduation speech where he urged students to embrace AI-driven change, despite warnings that the technology will disrupt every profession. Similarly, Scott Borchetta, CEO of Big Machine Records, received hostile reactions when he advised Middle Tennessee State University graduates to adapt to AI tools rather than resist them. The backlash extends beyond campuses to local politics, where opposition to AI-powered data centers has surged. A May Gallup poll found 71% of Americans oppose nearby AI data centers, even more than those opposed to nuclear plants, citing concerns over electricity costs, pollution, and water use. Violent incidents have followed, including a Molotov cocktail attack on the California home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and gunfire targeting an Indiana city council member who supported a data center project. A note left at the council member’s door read 'No Data Centers.' Economic fears are fueling the unrest, particularly among young Americans burdened by student debt and worried AI will render their degrees obsolete. Polling cited by Semafor shows 70% of Americans believe AI is advancing too fast, over 50% view it negatively, and only 18% of young people feel hopeful about its impact. The Trump administration, which initially pushed for rapid AI development, has since signaled a shift, proposing pre-release vetting of AI models and urging Congress to adopt nationwide regulations. Christabel Randolph of the Center for AI and Digital Policy described the mood as 'really, really angry,' with AI expansion becoming a key issue for the November midterms and potentially the 2028 presidential election. The administration’s recent discussions with China on AI guardrails further signal a retreat from its earlier pro-growth stance, reflecting the mounting pressure from voters and lawmakers alike.
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