Ocasio-Cortez Introduces House Version of the AI Data Center Moratorium Act

The Senate companion of the legislation is led by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) introduced the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Center Moratorium Act, legislation that would create a temporary prohibition on the construction of new data centers and the expansion of existing data centers until Congress passes comprehensive legislation to address the economic, environmental, and safety impacts of artificial intelligence.

"We have seen ICE partner with AI companies to surveil Americans, social media users employ AI bots to create sexually explicit deepfakes of women and children, and data center construction inflate electric bills in communities across the country. And all of this harm has occurred because of the absence of federal legislation to regulate AI," Representative Ocasio-Cortez said. "Congress has a moral obligation to stand with the American people and stop the expansion of these data centers until we have a framework to adequately address the existential harm AI poses to our society. We must choose humanity over profit."

The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives André Carson (IN-07), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

Specifically, the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act would institute an immediate federal moratorium on the construction of new data centers and the expansion of existing data centers until strong national safeguards are in place to ensure that:

• AI is safe and effective - preventing executives in the AI industry from releasing harmful products into the world that threaten the health and well-being of working families, our privacy and civil rights, and long-term economic and social stability;
• The economic gains of AI and robotics will benefit workers, not just the wealthy owners of Big Tech; and
• AI does not increase electricity and utility prices, harm communities, or destroy the environment.

The legislation also bans U.S. exports of AI computing infrastructure to countries that lack equivalent safety and environmental laws and mandates reporting on all financial vehicles involved in a data center's operations, as well as the center's water usage, energy usage, wastewater discharge, and worker wage and benefit information.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

Read the section-by-section summary here.

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