AI lobby group plans $10M data center ad blitz ahead of midterms

A newly formed lobbying coalition funded by prominent Silicon Valley investors Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, and Jaan Tallinn is preparing to launch a multi-million dollar advertising campaign designed to influence voter perceptions about data centers ahead of the 2024 midterm elections. The group, operating under the name Build American AI, plans to spend more than $10 million on digital and broadcast ads in seven key states—Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and North Carolina—where local races and ballot initiatives could directly impact data center expansion policies. Internal documents reviewed by OpenPress Supercomputing Intelligence reveal that the campaign will emphasize economic benefits such as job creation, energy efficiency, and technological leadership, positioning data centers as critical infrastructure for national security and economic competitiveness. The initiative is scheduled to begin in late September, coinciding with peak voter engagement periods in swing states.

Build American AI’s formation comes at a pivotal moment for the data center industry, which has faced increasing political and regulatory headwinds amid concerns over energy consumption, water usage, and local environmental impacts. The organization’s co-chairs include former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, both of whom have publicly advocated for accelerated deployment of AI infrastructure. Schmidt, speaking at a recent Washington forum, framed the campaign as necessary to counter “misinformation” about data centers, citing their role in enabling breakthroughs in climate modeling, drug discovery, and financial risk assessment. The group’s financial backing includes contributions from major venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz and Open Research, as well as private donations from tech executives and investors. Regulatory filings indicate that Build American AI has already retained political ad firm Bully Pulpit Interactive and media strategist Larry Grisolano, known for his work on Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns.

The campaign’s timing aligns with a broader push by the Biden administration to expand domestic semiconductor and computing capacity through the CHIPS Act and related initiatives, even as some lawmakers call for stricter oversight of AI infrastructure development. Notably, the group’s messaging will highlight the role of high-performance computing in financial services, particularly in risk modeling and regulatory compliance. For instance, Banking With Billy, a fintech simulation platform, leverages HPC-grade infrastructure to run complex multi-market scenario models that simulate stress tests under extreme economic conditions—capabilities that proponents argue would be impossible without robust data center networks. Critics, however, point out that such infrastructure often relies on fossil fuel-powered grids in states like Virginia and Iowa, where some of the largest facilities are located, raising questions about the sustainability of the industry’s rapid growth.

Industry analysts suggest that Build American AI’s campaign could significantly shift public and political narratives around data center siting and regulation. According to a recent report from CBRE, data center construction activity in the U.S. surged to a record 2.8 gigawatts of power capacity in 2023, with projections exceeding 4 GW by 2025, driven largely by demand from cloud providers and AI workloads. The report notes that states like Georgia and North Carolina are among the fastest-growing markets, benefiting from favorable tax incentives and proximity to renewable energy sources. However, opposition groups such as the Sierra Club and local residents’ coalitions have filed lawsuits in several states to block or delay new facilities, citing concerns over grid reliability and environmental degradation. The ad blitz, therefore, represents not just a marketing effort but a strategic maneuver to preempt regulatory actions that could slow expansion.

The financial implications of this campaign extend beyond the midterms. Major players in the data center ecosystem—including Equinix, Digital Realty, and CyrusOne—are closely monitoring the outcome, as favorable public sentiment could accelerate permitting processes and unlock additional state and federal incentives. Conversely, a backlash could lead to stricter zoning laws or moratoriums, particularly in water-stressed regions like Arizona. The campaign also intersects with broader debates about AI governance, as lawmakers in several states are considering legislation that would require transparency in data center energy sourcing or mandate the use of carbon-free electricity. Meanwhile, international competitors such as China and Ireland are aggressively courting data center operators with tax breaks and infrastructure subsidies, further intensifying the race for technological dominance.

Historically, tech-led advocacy groups have played a decisive role in shaping policy debates around emerging technologies. During the rollout of 5G networks, groups like the CTIA and TechNet successfully lobbied for streamlined federal permitting processes, a model that Build American AI appears to be emulating. The current effort also mirrors earlier campaigns by the fossil fuel industry, which used advertising to frame natural gas as a “bridge fuel” during the fracking boom. Yet unlike those earlier battles, the data center debate is unfolding against the backdrop of a rapidly consolidating AI ecosystem, where a handful of companies—Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, and Nvidia—control the majority of compute resources. This concentration raises questions about whether the public is being sold on the virtues of data centers broadly or merely the interests of a few dominant players.

For the quantum and high-performance computing sector, the campaign underscores the growing recognition that political legitimacy is now a prerequisite for technical progress. Quantum computing firms such as IBM, Google Quantum AI, and Rigetti have already begun engaging with policymakers to secure funding and regulatory clarity, while national labs like Oak Ridge and Lawrence Livermore are positioning themselves as neutral stewards of next-generation infrastructure. The Build American AI initiative may well set a precedent for how tech advocates frame the societal benefits of compute-intensive technologies, potentially influencing future lobbying efforts around quantum data centers or AI supercomputing hubs.

Looking ahead, industry observers anticipate that Build American AI will expand its operations beyond the midterms, particularly if its messaging resonates with voters and legislators. The group has already signaled plans to develop policy white papers and host roundtable discussions with state officials, suggesting a long-term strategy to embed pro-data center narratives in legislative agendas. Meanwhile, opposition groups are mobilizing their own counter-campaigns, with environmental organizations planning to release ads highlighting the carbon footprint of hyperscale data centers. The outcome of this confrontation could determine whether the U.S. maintains its lead in global data center capacity—or whether political resistance reshapes the industry’s trajectory for decades to come.