What’s the real story behind the spread of AI data centers? It depends where you get your news

Written by Anastasiia Boltkova with research by Adam Perhala, this Storybench article analyzes 10,000 news articles from the first half of 2026 to compare how national and local outlets cover the rapid growth of AI data centers. Using data analysis and topic modeling, it examines coverage nationally and in Virginia, Texas, and Ohio, three states with major data center expansion.

The research finds that national coverage frames the boom around investment, energy demand, and the race to power AI, while local coverage focuses on electricity bills, water use, zoning, and who pays. Local stories also quote residents more often, showing how geography shapes both the story and whose costs become visible.

Read the full article to learn more about the findings and methodology.