ALEXANDRIA, Va. —
A grassroots initiative aimed at rallying Americans against artificial intelligence and data centers has struggled to attract a significant following.
Humans First, a self-identified conservative group opposing data centers, led by former Tea Party activist Amy Kremer, launched its “Data Center Revolt” bus tour on September 12 in Austin, Texas. The tour includes 35 stops across 27 states and targets what the group refers to as “Big AI globalists,” according to their website. However, as the tour progresses, attendance at events has been modest, raising questions about the organization’s broader influence and its funding sources, which remain undisclosed.
A small crowd of supporters and journalists attended a bus stop in Bren Mar Park, Alexandria, Virginia, observed by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Among the attendees were members of the Alliance for Secure AI, brandishing signs with anti-data center slogans.
The one-hour protest featured speeches from Kremer and her supporters, followed by a brief question-and-answer session. Initially, 18 participants had registered for the event, according to the Humans First event listing.
At another stop in Effingham County, Georgia, about 20 people showed up to support Humans First, as reported by Current GA. Previous rallies in mid-July also saw low turnout, with only a handful of attendees in cities like Atlanta and Tyler, Texas, as reported by Reuters.
Humans First spokesperson Chris Barron responded to questions about the low attendance, quipping that he would need evidence of a pro-data center rally drawing crowds in rural America before taking the concerns seriously.
Meanwhile, Humans First shared an enthusiastic Instagram post celebrating the community at their Jacksonville, Florida stop, stating, “This is what community looks like!”
In contrast, the Innovation Council, a group advocating for AI, characterized the bus tour as a manufactured event. They shared a mocking video depicting sparse attendance at one of the protests, further criticizing the authenticity of the movement.
Innovation Council representatives claimed that the tour reveals the anti-data center campaign as a concocted effort by shadowy groups and foreign entities. They urged individuals involved in the initiative to come clean regarding their affiliations.
During the planned stop in Washington, D.C., Humans First canceled the event on the morning it was supposed to occur, citing permitting issues. Notably, this cancellation was not publicly announced by the organization, which had indicated the event would be held at noon.
Despite the low turnout figures, allies of the movement insisted that large crowds weren’t necessarily the goal. Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of the Alliance for Secure AI, noted that the mobile awareness campaign serves a purpose beyond just numbers.
‘Nobody Trusts Big Tech’
Jason Van Beek from the Future of Life Institute expressed distrust in major tech companies, asserting that community-level responses to AI and data center issues are essential for maintaining control over such systems. He emphasized that the focus should be on local governance concerning data centers rather than overarching federal policies.
Cathy Latham, the Texas state director for Humans First, reiterated the priority of local transparency over federal restrictions on AI. She highlighted the lack of openness surrounding data center negotiations occurring away from public scrutiny.
Latham, a retired educator, argued that the tech industry is unable to self-regulate effectively, citing issues with cell phone and social media impacts on children.
Other supporters viewed the resistance against data centers as part of a broader caution regarding the swift development of AI technologies. Robert Arnakis from the Alliance for Secure AI invoked the need for responsible oversight, comparing it to the necessity of restraint during the nuclear arms race.
Where The Fight Is Landing
Humans First positions itself as a conservative organization advocating for an “America First” stance towards AI, though it has not disclosed its budget or donor base. Kremer mentioned that the Center for AI Safety provided initial funding but did not disclose the total financial backing.
Local opposition to data centers has demonstrated community engagement, as seen in Mona, Utah, where residents united against a large data center project, revealing a lack of awareness about the plans that prompted them to challenge the permit.
In Box Elder County, Utah, significant opposition to a proposed data center led to well-attended meetings and potential political repercussions for supportive local officials.
This ongoing discourse highlights the larger concerns surrounding data centers and AI development, as the balance between innovation and regulation continues to be a contentious issue.
