Today's Poll Question: Which Is Worse? Building Data Centers, or Losing The AI Race to China? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 26, 2026 · 12 MIN

Today's Poll Question: Which Is Worse? Building Data Centers, or Losing The AI Race to China?

from The Smerconish Podcast · host Michael Smerconish

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which is worse, building data centers or losing to China the AI race they power? Michael examines the growing backlash against massive AI data centers—and the national-security stakes of refusing to build them. With Pennsylvania voters overwhelmingly wary of data centers in their own communities, politicians are scrambling to respond. But Senator John Fetterman warns that China and Russia may benefit from America’s resistance. Michael previews a conversation he's having later today with Pennsylvania developer Brian O’Neill about taxes, environmental concerns, local opposition, and a larger question: Can the United States remain competitive with China in artificial intelligence if every community says “not in my backyard”? Listen here, then cast your ballot at Smerconish.com! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 26, 2026

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Today's Poll Question: Which Is Worse? Building Data Centers, or Losing The AI Race to China?

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