Tim Turner, head of risk group at Beazley MAP (maritime, accident and political), said data centers are increasingly being targeted for protest and disruption, highlighting the need for insurance to evolve into a strategic enabler to help organizations protect assets, sustain operations and seize opportunities amid uncertainty.
Turner pointed out that geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty are reshaping the risk landscape, and data centers are at the core of global tensions and opportunities.
“As the backbone of the AI ecosystem, they symbolize progress but also raise anxieties about building siting, social impact and job prospects – issues that are already fueling opposition in 2025,” he said.
“So far we’ve largely only seen this conversation unfold in the digital space, but will it spill over into the real world in 2026?”
Turner described data centers as critical infrastructure and highlighted them as prime targets in a world of heightened volatility. He noted that governments and businesses must prepare for events that threaten them and build resilience to keep the essential systems they support functioning.
“This is where strikes, riots and civil disturbances (SRCC), political violence and terrorism, and cyber solutions play a vital role. As AI resistance moves from rhetoric to reality, insurance must evolve from a simple safety net to a strategic enabler, helping organizations protect assets, keep operations running, and seize opportunities amid uncertainty,” he concluded.