Public Backlash Threatens AI Companies' IPO Plans
Negative sentiment toward artificial intelligence is mounting in the United States, creating potential obstacles for OpenAI and Anthropic as both companies prepare to go public. The trend also threatens the data center expansion plans of Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, which collectively aim to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on computing infrastructure.
The shift in public opinion has turned visceral. Last week, a 20-year-old man threw a lit Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's San Francisco home, with prosecutors saying the attack was motivated by opposition to AI technology. The suspect, Daniel Moreno-Gama of Texas, faces attempted murder charges and is accused of threatening to burn down OpenAI's headquarters.
Altman acknowledged the attack over the weekend, writing that he empathizes with concerns about technology but believes "technological progress can make the future unbelievably good."
Polling shows majority skepticism
The incident reflects broader public concerns. A March NBC News survey found that 57% of registered voters believe the risks of AI outweigh the benefits. A Quinnipiac University poll reported 55% expect AI to do more harm than good in their daily lives. A Pew survey found a majority of Americans are more concerned than excited about increased AI use.
AI is now expected to become a central issue in midterm elections. Altman has proposed several policy responses, including a public wealth fund, a four-day workweek, and changes to payroll taxes that would tax automation rather than labor. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has been among those highlighting risks of large-scale economic disruption from AI.
Data center opposition blocks $156 billion in projects
Data centers are the infrastructure powering AI systems. Tech companies committed roughly $700 billion this year to build them across the United States, with more capacity enabling smarter models.
Local opposition to data centers has intensified, driven by concerns about energy consumption. A Data Center Watch report found that at least $156 billion in data center projects were blocked or delayed in 2025 due to local opposition and litigation.
Maine passed a bill this week creating the first statewide data center ban, now heading to the governor's desk. In Lester, Missouri, voters removed several city council members who supported a proposed data center project.
IPO timing becomes precarious
OpenAI's planned public offering may face headwinds from both the data center pushback and public skepticism. The company has described data center buildout as a strategic advantage, and political opposition could affect investor appetite.
OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar said the company plans to reserve a portion of its IPO for individual investors, similar to SpaceX's approach. "I hope everyone wants to own part of ChatGPT," Friar said, noting that consumer brand recognition helps with retail investor participation.
The convergence of negative public sentiment, election-year politics, and local data center opposition creates a complex backdrop for companies valued at tens of billions of dollars preparing to enter public markets.
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