Former US President Donald Trump announced on January 13, 2026, that his administration had secured a commitment from Microsoft to make "major changes" to ensure Americans do not face higher electricity bills due to the energy demands of AI data centers. He emphasized that large technology companies must "pay their own way" for the power consumption of their expanding infrastructure. In response, Microsoft, on the same day, detailed its "Community-First AI Infrastructure" initiative. Microsoft President Brad Smith confirmed the company's pledge to absorb the full electricity costs for its US data centers. This involves working with utility companies and public commissions to set rates high enough to cover the expenses associated with its data centers, including infrastructure expansion, thereby ensuring these costs are not passed on to residential customers. Beyond electricity, Microsoft's five-point plan also addresses other community concerns. It includes commitments to minimize water usage, replenish more water than its data centers consume, create local jobs, contribute to the local tax base, and invest in AI training and educational programs within communities hosting its facilities. The move comes amid growing public and political scrutiny over the significant increase in electricity demand driven by the rapid build-out of AI infrastructure across the United States. Several US states have already reported rising utility bills, partly attributed to the massive power needs of new data centers. This issue has become a politically charged topic ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with Trump positioning himself to address consumer affordability concerns. The initiative is designed to be a model for how tech companies can expand AI capabilities responsibly while being "good neighbors" to affected communities.