At present, the United States is embroiled in social controversies ignited by the AI surge, with the establishment of large-scale data centers emerging as a central point of public contention. Noor Laich, a scholar at Johns Hopkins University, penned an article in the Financial Times, stating that if Americans come to view AI technology as something imposed upon them rather than a collaborative endeavor, the U.S. will find itself trailing China in the global AI race. According to statistics, in the first quarter of 2026, at least 75 data center projects across the U.S., collectively valued at around $130 billion, faced delays due to public opposition. By July, the number of prohibitions had soared to over 500, spanning 42 states. The public is apprehensive that data centers will escalate the consumption of electricity and water resources, drive up electricity costs, and lead to issues such as noise and environmental pollution. Furthermore, concerns regarding AI's impact on employment, discontent with tech companies' sway over political decisions, and the entanglement of partisan politics have exacerbated the conflicts. Noor Laich underscored the necessity for the U.S. to integrate public sentiment into AI development decisions through comprehensive social consultations, to avoid repeating the missteps of social media. Otherwise, it risks losing public backing and eroding its technological edge.