As the 2026 midterm election cycle intensifies, candidates and members of Congress are increasingly centering their platforms on two specific technological issues: the expansion of Flock Safety license plate-reading cameras and the proliferation of large-scale data centers. These topics have transitioned from niche policy concerns to prominent campaign talking points, fueled by what reports describe as a growing wave of grassroots anxiety regarding AI-driven surveillance and infrastructure development.

Flock cameras, which utilize AI to track vehicle movements, are being framed by some candidates as a significant privacy threat. Simultaneously, data centers—essential for the computing power required by AI—are facing scrutiny due to their high energy consumption. Candidates are currently competing to demonstrate the strongest opposition to these facilities, often citing environmental and local infrastructure concerns. The rapid elevation of these issues highlights how AI-related infrastructure has moved from the periphery of national political discourse to the center of campaign strategy. While the political rhetoric is heating up, the debate reflects a broader tension between the rapid adoption of AI technology and public apprehension regarding its physical and societal footprint.