Sanders and AOC Seek Moratorium on AI Data Centers

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act on April 27, 2026, proposing a temporary halt to the construction and expansion of facilities used for large-scale AI training while federal safety standards are developed.

The bill would pause new or expanded data centers that support high-performance computing for AI model training until regulators establish safety and oversight structures. The offices of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez released the bill text and said the measure is meant to give lawmakers time to set rules addressing risks tied to advanced AI systems.

Sponsors framed the legislation around concerns that very capable AI models could act in ways that exceed human control. The proposal cites a 2023 open letter titled “Pause Giant AI Experiments,” signed by more than 1,000 experts including Elon Musk, which called for a temporary pause on training the most powerful systems. The bill also references remarks from researchers such as Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio about scenarios where AI could conflict with human interests.

Sanders asked in a statement, “Has there been a pause on AI development? No. Has there been any international treaty to regulate AI? No. Has there been serious discussion in Congress about this existential threat? No. We must make certain that AI benefits humanity, not hurts us.”

Supporters of the measure argue that data centers are a central driver of rapid scale-up in model training and that a temporary pause would give regulators time to write rules on safety, transparency and accountability. Sanders has also raised economic concerns, estimating that AI could displace as many as 97 million jobs over the next decade and saying some companies are already using AI to reduce payrolls.

Technology industry groups and some researchers have warned that limits on data center activity could slow innovation and economic growth. Cloud providers, semiconductor firms and research institutions have been identified as likely stakeholders to challenge restrictions, given their reliance on high-performance computing for development and services.

If the bill gains traction, congressional hearings and amendments would probably shape its scope and duration. Lawmakers are expected to weigh the proposed moratorium against arguments for continued investment in AI and the need to protect businesses and research operations that depend on advanced computing.

The legislation enters a broader debate over national and international approaches to AI regulation. Policy discussions since 2023 have focused on disclosure requirements, testing protocols, liability frameworks and the speed of commercial deployment. The bill’s immediate effect on construction and corporate planning will depend on how committees and stakeholders respond during the legislative process.