# Michigan Senator-Elect El-Sayed Calls for AI Pause, Data Center Limits

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/51303
Published: 2026-11-08T02:55:24.000Z
Updated: 2026-11-08T02:55:24.000Z
Section: Regulation

> His platform proposes a Cabinet-level AI regulator and new conditions for data center projects. Democrats won control of both chambers, with the new Congress beginning Jan. 3, 2027.

Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed wants companies to pause training and releasing their most powerful AI systems until the government adopts safeguards, while placing new conditions on data center development.

El-Sayed’s Oct. 13 “AI Under Control” platform calls for the pause. Democrats won majorities in both chambers on election night, and the new Congress begins Jan. 3, 2027.

The platform proposes a Cabinet-level AI regulator and restrictions on using AI to fire weapons, dismiss workers or deny medical coverage. It would also separate AI companies from traditional technology firms and reorganize them as public benefit corporations. Democratic processes would fill half of each company’s board seats, and 50% of the companies’ value would go into an account modeled on a sovereign wealth fund.

El-Sayed has cited AI executives’ forecasts that the technology could replace half of white-collar jobs within five to 10 years. He argues that the value created by AI should help support people displaced from work. He has also proposed a treaty with China to prevent AI from reaching self-improvement beyond human control, arguing that much frontier research there imitates U.S. models.

His data center proposals would give communities bargaining power and the option to reject projects. Projects would have to avoid raising electricity prices, improve power reliability, stay clear of waterways and use union labor. El-Sayed supports state and local pauses on new projects until federal rules are in place.

Sen. Bernie Sanders called for a nationwide data center pause Nov. 4. Texas Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa has said she would suspend project approvals after taking office until the state legislature adopts protections.

A separate bill from Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar would bar AI systems from designing and training successive generations of AI. The measure remains in committee and will expire when the current Congress ends Jan. 3, 2027, unless its sponsors reintroduce it.