Senator Bernie Sanders said the United States should seriously consider a moratorium on new artificial intelligence data centers, arguing that the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure risks overwhelming energy systems and displacing workers without adequate social protections.

Speaking in a December 28, 2025, interview on CNN, Sanders criticized what he described as an “adapt or die” approach promoted by powerful technology interests. He said the public should not be expected to absorb the consequences of technological disruption without guarantees of healthcare, housing, or economic security.

“I think we need to be thinking seriously about a moratorium on these data centers,” Sanders said. “You’ve got to slow this process down. It’s not good enough for the oligarchs to tell us, ‘It’s coming, you adapt.’”

Sanders’ comments come amid growing concern over the energy demands of AI infrastructure. According to estimates from the Electric Power Research Institute, data centers could consume as much as 8 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030, raising alarms about grid reliability, higher utility costs, and environmental impact.

The senator also warned that AI-driven automation could lead to widespread job losses if policy does not keep pace with technological change. He questioned how displaced workers would be supported in the absence of universal healthcare, affordable housing, or robust social safety nets.

Sanders has raised similar concerns in recent weeks, including a December 16 post on X, where he argued that technological progress should benefit working families rather than concentrate wealth and power among a small group of corporate leaders.

Supporters of AI expansion argue that data centers are essential for economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness, while critics increasingly call for stricter oversight, community impact assessments, and long-term planning to balance innovation with public welfare.