America’s data center fight is a preview of what's to come for the rest of the world

As the AI boom becomes a major part of political debate, the public backlash against data centers in the U.S. is spreading to Europe and Asia — raising risks for investors.Across the Atlantic, negative sentiment is growing in Europe, which has more at stake due to its densely populated countries and higher electricity prices, experts told CNBC. Similar tensions are emerging in South Korea, with growing opposition to data centers near residential areas and proposals for tighter local restrictions, even as the national government pushes to accelerate development.Public opposition has already impacted around $42 billion of data center investments in Europe, in account delays and cancellations, according to research from STL Partners. That compares to around $77 billion in the U.S.The pushback could be the "straw that breaks the camel's back," Olivier Darmouni, associate professor at HEC Paris who specializes in the energy transition, told CNBC. Data center opposition is growing in EuropeMore than 70 data center projects in Europe were rejected or restricted between January and April — more than in all of 2025, according to the European Data Center Monitor. It found that pushback had s...