A striking consensus has emerged among American voters regarding the construction of data centers to support artificial intelligence technology, with a large majority from both major political parties expressing opposition. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten highlighted this unified stance, describing it as "electoral poison" ahead of the midterm elections.
A Fox News survey conducted from July 17 to July 20, which polled 1,003 registered U.S. voters, revealed that 76% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans oppose building data centers in their area for AI development. This opposition spans across demographics, with 75% of rural voters and 63% of urban residents also against such facilities.
Enten pointed to a recent Marquette University Law School poll suggesting that 70% of Americans view AI development negatively. Concerns contributing to this sentiment include the significant water consumption required by AI servers to prevent overheating, increased local energy costs, and potential contamination of drinking water.
Despite the broad public opposition, some political figures, including former President Donald Trump, have openly championed AI and the construction of data centers. Trump has criticized states like New York for imposing bans on these facilities, arguing they provide substantial tax revenue and job creation. He has previously announced ventures aimed at expanding AI-related infrastructure, valuing the potential economic impact as "bigger than oil."
However, some analyses suggest the U.S. economy has become heavily reliant on AI investments. A report cited by Enten indicated that AI-related investments accounted for half of America's GDP growth at one point, with warnings that a reversal could risk recession. This economic dependency contrasts sharply with public sentiment towards local development of the technology.