A group of Republican lawmakers has called on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to investigate what they describe as a coordinated campaign by foreign-linked organizations to block the construction of data centers across the United States. The lawmakers assert that this opposition is intended to undermine American progress in artificial intelligence (AI) and benefit geopolitical rivals like China and Russia.
In a letter to Blanche, Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, who signed the letter along with other GOP members, stated his belief that "the Chinese and also the Russians are colluding and working to make sure that the United States of America is not the leader when it comes to AI policy and development." Gooden expressed concern that these foreign actors employ sophisticated disinformation tactics and manipulate U.S. processes to their advantage, often by funding non-governmental organizations and nonprofits that do not disclose their donors.
Data centers are crucial for the burgeoning demand for AI, providing the necessary infrastructure, computing power, and electricity to process and store vast amounts of data. However, proposals for new facilities frequently encounter local opposition, with critics citing concerns over increased utility costs and environmental impacts.
Recent reports have highlighted the involvement of Neville Roy Singham, a U.S.-born tech entrepreneur living in Shanghai, who has allegedly funneled significant sums of money into a network of nonprofits. These organizations have been linked to promoting pro-Chinese Communist Party narratives within the U.S. According to a Fox News Digital investigation, Singham has provided $278 million to such organizations since 2017. He is currently under investigation by a grand jury in the Southern District of New York, a probe authorized by Blanche. Singham has not been charged with any crimes.
One of the organizations identified in the lawmakers' letter is the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), described as the "political arm of the Singham network" with ties to socialist governments. Reports from the Bitcoin Policy Institute and OpenAI suggest that the PSL has been instrumental in organizing nationwide campaigns against data center development. The Bitcoin Policy Institute found that the PSL has opposed approximately $23.6 billion in AI investments across at least 14 states. OpenAI reported banning ChatGPT accounts originating from China that were used to promote narratives aimed at manipulating the debate around U.S. AI and tech policies.
Jack Tensley, identified as an organizer for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, testified against a data center proposal in Frederick County, Maryland, raising concerns about security risks and potential targets for infrastructure or cyberattacks. Tensley did not respond to requests for comment. The Party for Socialism and Liberation's Boston chapter has publicly opposed data centers, stating that control of AI and these facilities is concentrated in the hands of billionaires.
The letter to Attorney General Blanche specifically cited reports from the Bitcoin Policy Institute and OpenAI, which detailed alleged foreign influence operations targeting American AI discourse and supply chains. The lawmakers are urging the Justice Department to investigate these claims, which they believe pose a significant threat to national security and technological advancement.