Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael told Fox News Digital that foreign adversaries are conducting psychological operations to stoke opposition against artificial intelligence and data center infrastructure in the United States. Speaking during an interview at the White House, Michael argued that rivals seeking to prevent American development of superintelligence are manipulating public sentiment to hinder the expansion of AI capabilities.
Michael characterized data centers as the "electricity that fuels the superintelligence revolution," asserting that continued facility construction is essential for maintaining America's lead in the global AI race. He suggested that the pushback against infrastructure growth is partly the result of adversarial propaganda, noting that it is logical for opponents to attempt to dissuade the U.S. population from advancing ahead of them in superintelligence development. Michael observed that this strategy has been partially effective, which he believes explains why the president has pushed back against the movement.
The debate over data center production has become a central issue ahead of the midterm elections, with lawmakers adopting distinct political stances on whether development should proceed. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas drew parallels to previous foreign influence campaigns, specifically referencing Middle Eastern countries funding anti-fracking movements. Cruz told Fox News Digital last month that if adversaries can convince Americans to avoid developing domestic resources and instead rely on foreign suppliers, it benefits the adversary and harms the United States.
Cruz extended this comparison to the current AI landscape, stating that if adversaries can convince Americans to reject domestic data centers in favor of relying on China for AI, it serves Chinese interests at America's expense. While Michael echoed these concerns regarding foreign influence, he did not explicitly name China as the source of the operations in his interview.
Lawmakers have scrutinized financial flows from Neville Roy Singham, a 72-year-old American tech tycoon who sold his company for $785 million in 2017 and now resides in Shanghai. A Fox News Digital investigation reported that Singham has funneled $278 million into a network of nonprofits since 2017. Recipients include the Party for Socialism and Liberation and the ANSWER Coalition, both of which are described as pro-China communist groups. These organizations have been active in recent protests against data centers, including a demonstration in Chapel Hill, N.C., last month where activists carried signs opposing AI development alongside anti-Trump sentiments.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation Boston chapter posted on social media in July opposing data centers, claiming control of AI rests with billionaires and stating that workers are rising up in a growing movement against tech corporations. The organization framed its opposition as part of a broader labor struggle against major tech companies.
Regarding internal implementation, Michael reported that artificial intelligence usage within the Department of War has increased significantly since Secretary Pete Hegseth took office. He stated that users grew from approximately 70,000 out of a 3.5 million-person workforce to about 1.7 million. The department is deploying AI across enterprise operations, warfighting, and intelligence functions. Michael cited specific examples where staff reduced tasks previously taking 200 hours to two hours, noting that AI tools allow personnel to consolidate orders more quickly and analyze adversary assets with greater speed.