Senate Candidate Joins AI Data Center Pact

Dan Osborn Adds His Name to the AI Pact

Dan Osborn, the independent Senate candidate in Nebraska, signed the AI Pact on Sunday after a conversation with a MAGA supporter. The pact is a set of five promises that aim to regulate data centers and AI itself. Osborn’s pledge follows a brief town-hall where he and the supporter found common ground on AI and data-center concerns.

The Pact’s Origins and Core Promises

The AI Pact is an offshoot of the Political Integrity Project, an anti-money-in-politics group. Daniel Lobo-Lewis, one of the founders, says the five promises were developed by networking with AI safety groups and other political organizations. The promises include mandatory safety reviews for AI models, support for an AI dividend for workers, and the ability for consumers and companies to sue over harms caused by models. Funding comes from a progressive political action committee; no AI safety groups or tech companies directly fund the initiative, Lobo-Lewis states.

Signers and Party Lines

All current signers, except Osborn, are Democrats, though the pact welcomes Republican signers. Representative Justin Pearson of Tennessee and left-leaning candidate Will Lawrence of Michigan are among those who have built campaigns around opposition to data-center construction and Big Tech. The list of signers can be viewed on the standings page.

No Explicit Moratorium, but Strong Restrictions

The pact does not call for an outright moratorium on data-center construction. Instead, it supports policies that would ban tax breaks, backroom deals, and excessive energy usage for data centers. Lobo-Lewis says the language is intentional, providing a floor for candidates who have strong ties to labor unions. Several labor unions have recently reaffirmed their support for data-center construction.

Osborn’s Balanced View on Data Centers

Osborn, a Navy veteran and labor leader, says data centers can provide infrastructure and jobs. He also notes that rural farmers worry about losing land to development. “Congress needs to step in to regulate data centers,” he says. “Calling a time-out right now doesn’t seem like a horrible thing.” His position reflects a growing trend across the political spectrum.

Governors Responding to Data-Center Concerns

Governors who once championed data-center development are now taking steps to assure voters of regulation. Pennsylvania Democrat Josh Shapiro and Texas Republican Greg Abbott have announced measures to regulate construction. Abbott, who said last weekend that data centers have “dug their own grave” in Texas, initiated a temporary moratorium this month.

Federal Actions and Political Debate

The White House is developing a voluntary safety review for AI models, while Trump has met with AI executives about a worker dividend for AI profits-an idea reportedly pitched by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The Trump administration has also encouraged AI companies, governors, and utilities to sign a voluntary pledge to protect ratepayers from electricity increases caused by data centers.

Lobo-Lewis Critiques Federal Efforts

Lobo-Lewis says the pact offers stronger protections than the White House’s voluntary measures. He dismisses the Trump administration’s actions as “just lip service,” noting that the administration would not likely pursue mandatory safety reviews or nationwide tax breaks for data-center construction.

Texas GOP Debate Over Moratorium

State Representative Gina Hinojosa, a signer of the pact, has criticized Abbott’s moratorium as insufficient. She argues that data centers support an AI industry with no rules, threatening jobs, health, and safety. “We need laws to protect Texans,” she says. “AI can be a useful tool, but it has to be used responsibly.”

Voter Concerns: Data Centers vs. AI

The political class debates whether voters’ worries about data centers are linked to AI concerns. Trump has repeatedly expressed support for data-center construction, saying, “If I were the mayor of a town or the governor of a state, I would absolutely want it.” Senator Bernie Sanders linked AI safety to data-center construction in March, proposing a national moratorium until Congress passes protective legislation.

Osborn on Voter Awareness

Osborn notes that voters often do not connect data-center development with the negative impacts of Big Tech, such as privacy violations and the proliferation of surveillance cameras. He says, “They like to pretend that we’re all stupid,” adding a sly laugh.

The AI Pact’s five promises are listed in detail on the stats page, providing a baseline for candidates to ensure a humanity-first future.