Poll Finds 61% of U.S. Voters Oppose AI Data Center Construction
A New York Times/Siena University poll reported by TechRadar found that 61% of 1,503 likely U.S. midterm voters oppose AI data center construction, with environmental and local concerns driving opposition and sharp partisan splits.
The polling question asked whether respondents generally support or oppose the construction of data centers to support artificial intelligence, also known as AI, technology in the U.S. TechRadar reported that data centers are perhaps the most tangible and visible element of AI for voters to focus on, given their impact on local communities and ecology.
The survey found that the data center issue is not a priority for most U.S. voters, with economic and foreign policy matters more prominent. TechRadar said reaction to the polling is likely to be minimal, but it appears to underpin growing discontent with the approval of increasingly expansive data centers. Concerns over the environment, including wildlife, water use and impact on nearby communities, dominated responses.
Party divisions were sharp. Based on 2024 voting, 49% of Republicans supported AI data center construction, versus 47% who opposed it. Among Democrats, 18% supported construction while 75% opposed it. Among independents, 36% supported and 60% opposed. All three measures accommodated respondents who said they did not know.
On regulation, 56% of voters favored limits to AI data centers, while 38% supported a total ban on further construction. A slight majority, 42% to 40%, trusted Republicans to handle the data center matter.
When asked about their biggest concerns, 32% cited water usage or the environment. Another 21% cited the impact on local communities and resources, 18% expressed a general distrust or dislike of AI, 9% cited impact on local economies and jobs, and 10% cited concerns over AI regulations.
The poll was completed before President Trump’s statement against guardrails, which he believes would hamper America in the AI race with China.