Geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty are reshaping the risk landscape, and data centres sit at the heart of both global tension and opportunity. As the backbone of the AI ecosystem, they symbolise progress but also provoke anxiety over building location, societal impact, and the future of jobs - issues that have already fuelled opposition throughout 2025.
So far we’ve largely only seen this dialogue play out in the digital space, but will 2026 be the year it spills into the physical world?
Data centres, already critical infrastructure and flashpoints in a word of rising volatility, are increasingly prime targets for protest and disruption. Governments and businesses must prepare for incidents that threaten data centres and strengthen resilience to keep the essential systems they support running.
This is where Strike, Riots, and Civil Commotion (SRCC), political violence and terrorism, and cyber solutions play a vital role. As AI resistance shifts from rhetoric to reality, insurance must evolve from a simple safety net into a strategic enabler, helping organisations protect assets, keep operations running, and seize opportunities amid uncertainty.
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Tim Turner
Group Head of MAP Risks
