TBPN The AI Power Backlash, the NYMag David Ellison profile, Google Personal Intelligence | Diet TBPN
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Jan 15, 2026 The hosts tackle the burgeoning AI backlash, discussing rising power bills tied to data centers and bipartisan local resistance to them. They explore hyperscalers like Microsoft and Google and their ambitious energy commitments while questioning market incentives for building energy capacity. The conversation shifts to practical uses of Google's Personal Intelligence for everyday tasks. Also covered are intriguing insights into David Ellison's rise in Hollywood and the creative strategies against AI deepfakes, along with the evolving landscape of targeted advertising.
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Data Centers Inflate Local Power Prices
- AI data centers are driving local wholesale electricity price spikes due to rising demand and stagnant supply.
- That price pressure explains bipartisan local opposition and delays of $64B in data center projects.
Big Tech Can Internalize Energy Costs
- Microsoft and other hyperscalers can absorb higher power costs to smooth political backlash and incentivize new capacity.
- Paying a premium may be a short-term fix while grid expansion catches up, not a structural solution.
NIMBYism Drives Bipartisan Opposition
- Local communities resist data centers for reasons beyond power bills: water concerns, noise, aesthetics, and NIMBY sentiment.
- Opposition remains bipartisan, roughly 55% Republican and 45% Democrat in affected districts.