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New York has become the first US state to enforce a data center moratorium, as governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order today to pause construction for one year.

"We have no choice but to address the challenges created by these massive facilities," Hochul said at a press conference. She is also proposing an end to all tax incentives for data centers.

Construction of hyperscale data centers across the US, driven by the frenzy to capitalize on the AI industry, has reportedly raised concerns about the massive facilities’ impact on local communities.

In June, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders sat down with WIRED to discuss his own proposals for AI regulation, which would include a data center moratorium until safeguards are implemented.