From The Verge · Richard Lawler · · 1m 30s
Voters sour on AI data centers
A new poll finds broad voter resistance to AI data centers, but little clear advantage for either party.
In brief
A new poll finds broad voter resistance to AI data centers, but little clear advantage for either party. AI data centers are unpopular with many voters, but they rank low as a midterm issue and split trust almost evenly by party. Originally reported by The Verge.
Data centers face backlash
A New York Times and Siena poll found 61 percent of likely voters oppose building data centers to power AI. Only 14 percent said they strongly support them.
“61 percent of likely voters surveyed said they oppose the construction of AI data centers.”
Trump voters split closer
Among 2024 Trump voters, support and opposition were nearly even, 49 percent to 45 percent. Harris voters and nonvoters leaned strongly against the projects.
Opponents want limits
Most voters who oppose the projects favored restrictions, not a full ban. Environmental and water concerns led the reasons, followed by local impacts and distrust of AI.
Other polls match it
The result fits earlier surveys. NBC found AI polling below ICE in March, while Gallup found seven in ten Americans opposed local AI data center construction in May.
Still not a top issue
Even with broad resistance, AI and data centers barely registered when voters named their top midterm concerns. The economy, foreign policy, inflation, and Trump dominated instead.
No party edge yet
Voters mostly trusted their own party on the issue. Overall trust was almost tied, with 40 percent favoring Democrats, 42 percent favoring Republicans, and 18 percent unsure.
At a glance
AI data centers are unpopular with many voters, but they rank low as a midterm issue and split trust almost evenly by party.
