War, Backlash and Build‑Out: The 2026 AI Data Center Report

The year 2026 has been unprecedented for AI infrastructure. A global conflict disrupted supply chains and even targeted data centers; nearly 40 % of U.S. projects faced delays. Communities across America escalated their pushback with ballot measures, moratoria and protests. Tech firms responded with new power strategies, cooling innovations, community agreements and even nuclear plans. This report synthesizes the year’s events, from war‑zone drone strikes to closed‑loop cooling, large‑load tariffs, behind‑the‑meter power and the economic ripple effects on suppliers like Caterpillar.