Trending Now - Influencers Funded by Tech Giants Cast Chinese AI as Menace

WHO:

ABC News - Building trades unions are now allied with tech giants in the AI economy.

Techmeme - Influencers funded by tech giants, including executives from OpenAI, Palantir, and Andreessen Horowitz.

Wired - Build American AI, a nonprofit linked to a super PAC.

WHAT:

ABC News - Unions are reporting a doubling in the size of apprentice classes and a record number of members and apprentices in 2025.

ABC News - Data centers consume at least 40% of work hours for the Columbus-Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council and at least 50% for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 in metropolitan Washington, D.C.

ABC News - The Boilermakers Local 154 has increased its apprentice class size to over 200 after previously recruiting none for four years.

Techmeme - Influencers are being paid to promote US-based AI and oppose Chinese AI.

Wired - A campaign is being funded to spread pro-AI messaging and instill fears about Chinese AI.

WHERE:

Techmeme - The campaign is focused on the United States.

WHY:

Wired - The motivations behind the campaign include promoting American AI and framing Chinese AI as a threat.

HOW:

ABC News - Tech giants are spending tens of millions of dollars on training programs in partnership with unions to build their multibillion-dollar projects.

Techmeme - Funding for the campaign comes from a super PAC bankrolled by executives at OpenAI and Andreessen Horowitz.

(UPDATED May 2, 2026 05:46 UTC)

Building trades unions are forming alliances with tech giants to adapt to the growing AI economy, leading to a significant increase in the size of apprentice classes and a record number of members and apprentices in 2025. In Columbus, data centers account for at least 40% of work hours for the local Building and Construction Trades Council, while the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 in Washington, D.C. reports that figure is at least 50%. Additionally, the Boilermakers Local 154 has ramped up its apprentice class size to over 200 after a four-year hiatus in recruitment, thanks in part to tech companies investing tens of millions of dollars in training programs.

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(UPDATED May 1, 2026 23:17 UTC)

A new campaign is underway in the United States, funded by a super PAC backed by executives from OpenAI and Andreessen Horowitz, aimed at promoting American AI while opposing Chinese AI. Influencers are being paid to spread pro-AI messaging and instill fears about the perceived threat of Chinese technology. This initiative is linked to a nonprofit called Build American AI, which is working closely with the super PAC to amplify its message.