AI and data centers face widespread unpopularity in recent surveys.

Recent poll data reveals a significant trend: AI and data centers are facing considerable backlash among voters. In a survey of 1,503 likely voters conducted in early September, a striking 61 percent opposed the construction of data centers to support AI technology, with only 14 percent expressing strong support. Among those who voted for Donald Trump in 2024, opinions were nearly split, with 49 percent in favor and 45 percent against. In contrast, voters who supported Kamala Harris or chose not to vote showed a stronger opposition, at 74 percent and 67 percent, respectively.

Of those opposed to data centers, 56 percent advocated for some form of limits, while 38 percent called for a complete ban. The reasons behind this opposition are telling: 32 percent cited environmental and water usage concerns, 21 percent pointed to the impact on local communities, and 18 percent expressed a general distrust or aversion to AI. Additional concerns included regulatory issues and economic impacts, which were noted by 10 and 9 percent of respondents, respectively.

Earlier polling from March indicated that AI was viewed less favorably than ICE, and a Gallup survey in May found that seven out of ten Americans opposed the local establishment of AI data centers. Despite this, the current data shows that AI and data centers rank low on voters’ priority lists for the midterm elections. Most demographics rated these issues at under 1 percent, with the exception of younger voters aged 18–29, where 3 percent selected it as a concern, overshadowed by more pressing issues like the economy, foreign policy, inflation, and opposition to Trump and the Republicans. Voters from both parties largely favored their own party to address these matters, with 40 percent supporting Democrats, 42 percent backing Republicans, and 18 percent unsure or unwilling to choose.