Kevin O’Leary says the growing backlash against AI data centers may not be entirely organic. “Someone is paying for this. They’re organizing it. They’re funding it. They’re spreading the message,” he said, suggesting outside interests could be driving the opposition. O’Leary has pointed the finger at China, arguing it would benefit from slowing the buildout of infrastructure needed to power America’s AI industry. “Why wouldn’t China want to stop us from building the infrastructure needed to win the AI race?” he said. At the same time, many people living near proposed data centers say their concerns have nothing to do with politics or foreign influence. They only worry about higher energy use, water consumption, environmental impacts, and how these facilities could affect their communities and their bills of course