OpenAI, Blackstone and Softbank launch US lobbying group to oppose state bans on AI data centers
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| Source: Mastodon | Original article
OpenAI, Blackstone and SoftBank have formed a lobbying coalition called the American Infrastructure Alliance to block state efforts that would restrict AI data centers in the United States.
OpenAI, Blackstone and SoftBank have joined forces with five building‑trades unions to launch the American Infrastructure Alliance, a multimillion‑dollar lobbying coalition aimed at smoothing the path for AI data‑center projects across the United States. The group’s first task is to prevent state governments from imposing blanket moratoriums on new facilities, a move the members say would jeopardise the rapid expansion of compute capacity needed for next‑generation artificial‑intelligence models.
The alliance plans to work with state and local officials to draft “standards and guardrails” for data‑center development, with an eye on rolling out these frameworks by 2027 in seven key states where opposition has been strongest. By positioning unions alongside private‑equity and AI firms, the coalition hopes to counter criticism that data‑center construction offers few long‑term jobs, and to present a united front that frames growth as both responsible and beneficial to local economies.
The initiative matters because AI workloads are increasingly data‑intensive, and the United States is vying to retain its edge in AI infrastructure against competing global hubs. If state‑level bans take hold, companies could be forced to locate facilities abroad, slowing innovation and raising costs for domestic users. The alliance’s involvement also signals a shift toward more coordinated industry lobbying, blending corporate capital with labor influence to shape policy.
Observers will watch how quickly the American Infrastructure Alliance can secure agreements with state regulators, whether its proposed standards gain traction, and how opposition groups respond. Early campaigns in states such as Texas and Georgia will serve as test cases; successful navigation of those markets could set a template for broader national rollout and determine the pace of AI data‑center expansion in the coming years.
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