White House AI Czar says Trump isn't trying to force data centers on communities that don't want them

The top advisor on artificial intelligence to President Donald Trump is working to dispel misunderstandings surrounding the administration's plans for AI regulation. In a detailed post on X, David Sacks, the White House AI and Crypto Czar, emphasized that an upcoming executive order aimed at limiting state-level regulation of AI is primarily to clarify jurisdictional issues. Sacks, a venture capitalist and co-host of the popular "All In" podcast, addressed significant concerns regarding the controversial topic of AI preemption, which has sparked considerable debate even among Trump's supporters. He identified four main concerns, which he termed the 'four Cs': child safety, communities, creators, and censorship. On the topic of communities, Sacks reassured that the proposed AI preemption would not dictate local infrastructure decisions, particularly the establishment of data centers that have raised environmental and resource management issues. "AI preemption would not apply to local infrastructure. That's a separate issue," Sacks clarified, stating that the administration would not compel communities to host data centers against their will. Furthermore, he confirmed that existing state laws aimed at protecting children from online predators and harmful content would remain unaffected, as the preemption would not override generally applicable state regulations. Sacks reiterated that this initiative is not an 'AI amnesty' or 'AI moratorium,' but rather a move to settle jurisdictional questions. The administration is concerned that varying regulations across all 50 states could hinder the United States' competitive edge in the international AI landscape, particularly in relation to China. While specifics of the forthcoming executive order remain unclear, a draft previously reviewed by Business Insider suggested that the Department of Justice might take legal action against states imposing stringent AI regulations. This follows earlier legislative efforts to establish AI preemption, including attempts within the controversial 'Big Beautiful Bill,' which ultimately saw the provision eliminated due to dissenting opinions from several Republican members. Despite the administration's intentions, opposition persists among some lawmakers. Republican Representative Warren Davidson from Ohio expressed skepticism, stating, "Nice framework. This should be a law, not an executive order." The conversation around AI regulation continues to evolve as the administration seeks to balance innovation with public safety.