Something for the weekend - time to get smart on US AI regulation after a ‘lost decade’ for data?

Anger is growing in parts of the US at President Trump’s latest Executive Order on AI, which seeks to block states from regulating it – in line with policy objectives trailed throughout the year.

Unregulated AI would mean unfettered data center expansion, which is why over 200 environmental groups are protesting. They believe AI’s vast energy demands will have a negative impact on local communities, with pollution, water scarcity, and rising energy prices. Governor of California and self-appointed troll of the President, Gavin Newsom, has slammed the “grift and corruption” of a plan that, while not legally binding, carries clear political intent.

But another reaction was notable for different reasons. Roman Stanek is founder and CEO of privately held analytics vendor, GoodData, which boasts over 3.5 million users in 140,000 organisations, with rumoured 2024 revenues of $60+ million. In comments that were widely reported – and apparently taken ...