‘100% in favour of Super Intelligence’: Trump backs AI expansion despite growing data centre backlash

US President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump has backed the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) across the country, saying his administration will work with states seeking to attract investment in what he described as “Super Intelligence (SI)”, even as growing local opposition threatens to slow the industry’s rapid expansion.In a post on Truth Social on Friday, November 6, Trump argued that states embracing advanced AI technology could reap significant economic benefits and warned that rejecting such investments would be a mistake.“As President, I am 100% in favor of Super Intelligence (SI), and will work with the many States in the U.S. that want to become RICH by having them. They are GOLD, and only foolish leadership will say ‘NO’ to the riches they bring!” he wrote.Trump’s remarks come days after voters in several parts of the country backed measures seeking to restrict or temporarily halt data centre construction, highlighting rising concerns about the impact of the AI boom on local communities.Growing resistance to AI infrastructure expansionAccording to Axios, nearly two dozen of 41 data centre-related ballot measures across 10 states appeared headed for approval based on preliminary results from Tuesday’s midterm elections. Several of these measures sought restrictions or temporary pauses on new construction.The resistance reflects concerns that the rapid expansion of data centres, which require enormous amounts of electricity and water, could increase utility bills, strain local resources and affect the environment.The election results could complicate plans for an estimated $10 trillion expansion of AI infrastructure in the United States.Texas, expected to account for 41 per cent of new US data centre capacity in 2028, according to research firm SemiAnalysis cited by Axios, could face particular challenges.Democrat Gina Hinojosa’s victory over Republican Governor Greg Abbott has also raised questions about the future of data centre development in the state. Hinojosa campaigned on maintaining a moratorium on new data centres until lawmakers address concerns involving electricity, water supplies, air quality and property rights.Democrats also won gubernatorial contests in Ohio, Georgia and Arizona, three other states expected to play significant roles in the country’s AI infrastructure expansion.Trump wants data centres to address local concernsTrump has previously sought to address concerns over the impact of large data centres while continuing to encourage investment in the sector.In an October 20 Truth Social post, he said major data centres should generate their own electricity, sell excess power to local utilities and provide financial benefits to nearby residents.“MAKE DEALS, and get them built!!! GREAT FOR THE US,” he wrote.The president has also established a federal Super Intelligence Force to help maintain America’s technological leadership.Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported on Friday that voters had overwhelmingly supported local restrictions on data centres, underlining the political challenges facing the administration’s AI expansion plans.Trump’s latest comments indicate that he intends to continue backing the development of advanced AI and the infrastructure supporting it, despite growing resistance from communities and local leaders concerned about its economic and environmental costs.