# Tech Backlash Reaches New Heights

AI and social media fears converge.

- **Source:** [US Top News and Analysis](https://brifing.si/source/635540e9-943e-450d-ae52-ae0bfe3b67eb)
- **Published:** 2026-08-29
- **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business)
- **Original article:** <https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/29/tech-backlash-ai-data-centers-elections.html>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c7ccd2db-1f62-421b-aee8-7ff5d62457bc

## Growing Backlash Against the Tech Sector

While Silicon Valley leaders dream of making the world a better place, Americans say they are living in a tech-induced nightmare. The rapid rise of AI giants like OpenAI and Anthropic has fueled deep discontent with the tech sector, especially among those who associate AI with job loss and see massive data centers rising in their backyards.

## Negative Impacts of Social Media

Meta's agreement to a $17 billion settlement this week highlights the addictive effects of social media once again. At a time of stubbornly high inflation that has pushed consumer confidence to a seven-month low, Americans see tech giants growing larger and being led by some of the wealthiest people on the planet.

## Distrust in Artificial Intelligence

According to a recent report from the Pew Research Center, more than half of Americans are concerned about the growing use of AI in daily life, up from 37% in 2021. A poll by the Searchlight Institute found that the vast majority of voters believe social media has a negative impact on society.

## Declining Trust in Tech Leaders

A CNBC Generation Lab survey of 18- to 34-year-olds revealed that over 75% of respondents do not trust Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to act responsibly. Similar distrust levels were expressed for OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Public disdain for the tech sector could pose significant challenges for Anthropic and OpenAI.

## Opposition to Data Centers

Data centers, which house the hardware for training and running AI models, have become a physical manifestation of public anger. In the first quarter of this year, local opposition blocked or delayed approximately $130 billion worth of data center projects. Groups like the Stop Data Centers Coalition are calling for a national moratorium on new projects.

## Environmental and Economic Concerns

Emily Wurth, organizing director for Food and Water Watch, stated that data centers bring a host of issues, including water use, higher utility bills, increased emissions, noise pollution, and the potential takeover of agricultural land. Hundreds of people in Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania have turned out to oppose these projects.

## Tech Workers Speak Out

Amazon engineers testified at a Seattle City Council meeting in June, calling for stricter regulation of AI data centers and criticizing the company's use of dirty energy in some regions. James Coleman, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, noted that trust in utilities and regulators has declined due to rising electricity prices.

## The Future of the Tech Sector

As backlash against the tech sector reaches new heights, experts say companies must do more than just launch PR campaigns to regain public trust. Sarah Myers West, co-director of the AI Now Institute, emphasized the importance of understanding and meaningfully addressing public expectations.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/29/tech-backlash-ai-data-centers-elections.html — 

---

_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._