William Lawrence Unveils Plan to Curb Big Tech’s Influence in Michigan
As the race heats up in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, Democratic candidate William Lawrence has put the spotlight on his campaign against the proliferation of data centers. His latest move is the introduction of a comprehensive strategy aimed at curbing what he terms as “Tech Overreach.”
Lawrence’s plan is a call for a federal pause on the development of data centers to ensure the implementation of appropriate regulations. “All across this district, everyday Michiganders are standing up and fighting back against the Big Tech companies trying to bulldoze their communities,” stated Lawrence in a press release. “These companies are trying to force their way into our towns to build a mass unemployment machine that no one wants and that AI experts worry could wipe out all of humanity. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with my neighbors and fight for Mid-Michigan.”
His plan includes measures to halt data center and AI development temporarily and to establish a national AI compact. The proposal outlines environmental safeguards for data centers, safety standards for AI technologies, and a national jobs program to mitigate AI’s impact on employment. This program would generate jobs in sectors like elder care, environmental restoration, and support for small businesses, funded by a tax on AI industry profits.
Lawrence’s compact also suggests limiting AI applications in schools, enhancing privacy safeguards, prohibiting AI in Social Security Administration decisions, banning deceptive AI-generated political content, and preventing taxpayer-funded AI bailouts.
In contrast, Lawrence’s opponent, U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, has been criticized for his support of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes a decade-long moratorium preventing states from regulating AI systems.
Despite these differences, Barrett’s campaign strategist, Jason Roe, noted that Barrett shares some concerns with Lawrence about AI. Roe explained, “Congressman Barrett agrees with Mr. Lawrence on the need to develop an aggressive policy on this rapidly evolving technology that threatens to disrupt our labor force, our communities, education, and potentially threaten national security and human dignity.”
Barrett has introduced legislation aimed at barring AI from authority in medical treatment decisions and ensuring human oversight over autonomous weapon systems. He also supports age-verification for AI chatbots and parental consent for minors’ chatbot use.
The candidates’ opinions diverge on federal involvement in local data center development. Roe emphasized, “Congressman Barrett believes the federal government should not dictate to local residents their land use and zoning decisions, and has introduced legislation to prevent that from happening.”
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