Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Artificial intelligence data centres take centre stage in the US political debate.
Subscribe to our channel 👉🏽: bbc.in/3VyyriM
Lawmakers and candidates from both parties are increasingly positioning themselves as critics, in opposition to Donald Trump and administration officials, who are embracing the industry's expansion.
On this episode of The President's Path, Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian discuss how AI data centres are becoming an important issue for voters ahead of the midterms. They look at concerns about the energy use and environmental impact of these facilities, and why the Trump administration sees them as key to competing with China.
00:00 Welcome to The President's Path
01:15 Why data centres are becoming a political issue
02:49 The race against China
03:49 Why tech companies need more data centres
05:42 The environmental questions
07:53 Can Trump ease data centre affordability concerns?
10:08 Is opposition to data centres bipartisan?
10:43 How Americans view AI development
13:42 Could a sovereign wealth fund help Americans cash in?
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk
----------------
This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel.
If you like what we do, you can also find us here:
Instagram 👉🏽 instagram.com/bbcworldservice
Twitter 👉🏽 twitter.com/bbcworldservice
Facebook 👉🏽 facebook.com/bbcworldservice
BBC World Service website 👉🏽 bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
#BBCWorldService #WorldService #donaldtrump #datacenter
Artificial intelligence data centres take centre stage in the US political debate.
Subscribe to our channel 👉🏽: bbc.in/3VyyriM
Lawmakers and candidates from both parties are increasingly positioning themselves as critics, in opposition to Donald Trump and administration officials, who are embracing the industry's expansion.
On this episode of The President's Path, Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian discuss how AI data centres are becoming an important issue for voters ahead of the midterms. They look at concerns about the energy use and environmental impact of these facilities, and why the Trump administration sees them as key to competing with China.
00:00 Welcome to The President's Path
01:15 Why data centres are becoming a political issue
02:49 The race against China
03:49 Why tech companies need more data centres
05:42 The environmental questions
07:53 Can Trump ease data centre affordability concerns?
10:08 Is opposition to data centres bipartisan?
10:43 How Americans view AI development
13:42 Could a sovereign wealth fund help Americans cash in?
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk
----------------
This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel.
If you like what we do, you can also find us here:
Instagram 👉🏽 instagram.com/bbcworldservice
Twitter 👉🏽 twitter.com/bbcworldservice
Facebook 👉🏽 facebook.com/bbcworldservice
BBC World Service website 👉🏽 bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
#BBCWorldService #WorldService #donaldtrump #datacenter
