Republican Arizona state Rep. Justin Wilmeth spoke in defense of data centers, arguing that attacks against them belie evidence that they serve the public’s best interest, amid growing debate about development in the state. 

As chairman of the Arizona House of Representatives Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Innovation, Wilmeth said that data centers would help “Make America Visionary Again” by giving the United States an edge in the global AI race. He expressed concern that foreign funding is propelling opposition to technological advancement. His position, as outlined in an op-ed for the Arizona Republic, comes after a developer recently retracted plans to build the biggest data center complex in the state, upon facing backlash from Rural Arizona Engagement and other residents.