Voter Discontent with AI and Data Centers Leaves Both Parties at a Standstill

The results from a recent poll conducted by the New York Times and Siena University reveal a significant opposition among voters regarding the establishment of data centers for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Released on Tuesday, the data indicated that 61% of the 1,503 likely voters surveyed in early September expressed disapproval of data center construction, while only 14% indicated strong support. This skepticism is notably split among different voter demographics, with 49% of those who supported Donald Trump in 2024 in favor of data centers, contrasted against 74% of Kamala Harris supporters and 67% of non-voters who voiced opposition.

Furthermore, among those who opposed data centers, 56% favored imposing restrictions, while 38% expressed a desire for an outright ban. The reasons behind this resistance are varied, with environmental concerns regarding water usage topping the list at 32%. Additional factors include the negative impact on local communities (21%), a general mistrust or aversion to AI (18%), and worries about economic implications and regulatory oversight, which garnered 10% and 9% support, respectively.

Despite these concerns, AI and data centers were deemed low-priority issues for voters when considering their choices for the midterm elections. The relevant concerns ranked at under 1% across most demographics, with the notable exception of younger voters aged 18 to 29, where 3% identified it as an issue, trailing behind more pressing topics such as the economy, foreign policy, inflation, and opposition to Trump and the Republicans. Regardless of their political affiliation, most voters tended to trust their own party to effectively manage issues related to AI and data centers, with 40% favoring Democrats, 42% favoring Republicans, and 18% who remained undecided.