Kevin O'Leary, an investor known for his role on "Shark Tank" and his extensive background in business and television investing, has voiced a strong opposition to calls made by Senator Bernie Sanders to impose a moratorium on the establishment of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. While expressing admiration for Sanders' communication prowess and grassroots fundraising strategies, O'Leary argues that halting expansion in AI infrastructure is an impractical and potentially damaging approach.
Taking to the social media platform X, O'Leary conveyed his perspective with a mix of respect and critique. He described Sanders as a master strategist in crafting viral messages and raising small-dollar donations through provocative statements. According to O'Leary, Sanders has perfected the use of compelling sound bites that galvanize public support and generate funding, which he characterizes as "the playbook" behind his political influence.
Despite this recognition, O'Leary diverges sharply when it comes to the substance of Sanders’ AI policies. He specifically criticized the notion of slowing down technological development or enforcing moratoriums on AI-related data center construction. O'Leary asserted that such measures do not serve to protect workers or uphold democratic values; rather, in his view, they represent a relinquishment of leadership on the global stage.
O'Leary emphasized that suspending data center developments in the U.S. would effectively hand strategic advantages to competing nations, particularly China. While regulatory discussions and permit delays occupy policymakers in Washington, he pointed out, China is moving quickly to build and scale AI infrastructure. He framed this discrepancy as a critical national security issue as well as an economic concern, since the lead in AI infrastructure could translate directly into military and geopolitical power.
He highlighted the concern that advanced AI capabilities might influence flashpoints like Taiwan through autonomous systems that rely on rapidly deployed, sophisticated technology. O'Leary maintained that the United States cannot afford to pause its AI infrastructure expansion without risking serious repercussions.
On the other side of the debate, Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent representing Vermont, has cautioned against the rapid, billionaire-driven expansion of artificial intelligence. He contends that this growth threatens employment opportunities, democratic institutions, and the management of public resources. Sanders has singled out prominent tech entrepreneurs including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, and Bill Gates, accusing them of pursuing AI development primarily to amplify wealth and power concentration rather than to benefit working families.
Experts analyzing energy consumption have noted that data centers already consume about 5% of the United States' electricity supply, a figure expected to rise sharply with increased AI adoption. This adds a layer of public resource concerns on top of the economic and security issues related to AI infrastructure growth.
Kevin O'Leary has consistently raised alarms over permitting delays in the U.S., arguing that bureaucratic red tape is contributing to China's leadership in developing new data centers. This position dovetails with statements from Nvidia Corporation CEO Jensen Huang, who has remarked on the lengthy timelines required for sizable AI facilities in the U.S., contrasting this with China's faster pace for infrastructure projects.
According to data from Statista, as of November 2025, the United States hosts 4,165 data centers, more than any other country, whereas China operates 381. Despite this numerical lead for the United States, the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure in China underscores a growing competitive dynamic. O'Leary’s comments stress the importance of speed and agility in maintaining technological and geopolitical leadership.
This ongoing situation underscores the complex balance between the benefits and challenges of AI infrastructure development in the global economy. While regulatory and ethical considerations warrant careful attention, the strategic implications of constraining AI infrastructure growth highlight the critical decisions facing U.S. policymakers and industry leaders.