Readers get a clear read on where public opinion stands on AI infrastructure: 61 percent of likely voters oppose the construction of data centers for AI, while only 14 percent strongly support it. The same polling shows neither major party holds a meaningful edge on the issue, even as the topic gains traction in local and national races.
What the poll measured
The poll, conducted jointly by The New York Times and Siena University, surveyed 1,503 likely voters in early September. It asked whether respondents supported or opposed building data centers to power AI technology. Opposition came in at 61 percent, with 14 percent strongly supporting construction. The result adds to a growing body of polling that shows AI infrastructure is a difficult sell with the American public.
An NBC News poll in March found AI polled lower than ICE on voter sentiment. A Gallup poll in May found seven in ten Americans opposed local construction of AI data centers. The new numbers fall in line with that trend.
Who opposes AI data centers
Opposition cuts across party lines. Among voters who supported the Republican ticket in the 2024 presidential election, 49 percent supported data center construction and 45 percent opposed it, a near-even split. Among voters who supported the Democratic ticket that year and those who did not vote, opposition rose to 74 percent and 67 percent, respectively.
People who said they opposed data centers were then asked how far they wanted restrictions to go. Fifty-six percent favored imposing limits on construction, while 38 percent preferred a total ban.
Why voters object
Environment and water usage topped the list of concerns at 32 percent. Impact on local communities followed at 21 percent, and general distrust or dislike of AI came in at 18 percent. Regulation worries and economic concerns accounted for 10 and 9 percent, respectively.
The environmental finding is consistent with reporting on water consumption by large data center campuses in places such as Loudoun County, Virginia, where cooling demands have drawn local pushback.
Why politicians are paying attention
Local resistance to data center construction has become a familiar story in county and state races. Opposition crosses familiar partisan lines: recent reporting has documented right-leaning retirees protesting new builds in ways that mirror long-running environmental objections from other groups.
Even so, AI and data centers ranked low on the list of issues voters named as most important for deciding their midterm vote. Across most demographics the issue registered below 1 percent. The exception was younger voters aged 18 to 29, 3 percent of whom picked it as their top concern, behind the economy, foreign policy, inflation, and party-driven issues.
Who voters trust on the issue
Voters were also asked which party they trusted to handle data center policy. Among the 554 respondents who offered a view, 40 percent favored Democrats, 42 percent favored Republicans, and 18 percent said they did not know or refused to answer. Both parties’ own supporters overwhelmingly picked their party, leaving neither side with a clear advantage on the issue.
For businesses tracking how AI infrastructure affects reputation and policy, keeping an eye on public sentiment is part of staying ahead. BizScoreAI scores how a business appears to AI search and can surface what engines show about a brand.
FAQ
What percentage of voters oppose AI data center construction?
Sixty-one percent of the 1,503 likely voters surveyed said they oppose building data centers to power AI. Only 14 percent said they strongly support it.
Why do voters oppose AI data centers?
Environmental and water usage concerns led at 32 percent. Impact on local communities was cited by 21 percent, and general distrust or dislike of AI by 18 percent. Regulation concerns made up 10 percent and economic concerns 9 percent.
Do voters trust either party more on AI data center policy?
No clear edge emerged. Among respondents who named a party, 42 percent favored Republicans, 40 percent favored Democrats, and 18 percent said they did not know or refused to answer.
Related coverage
- AI Data Centers Now Consume Billions of Gallons of Water Annually, Here’s What’s Driving It – BizScoreAI
- 75% of Americans Oppose Nearby Data Centers: Poll
- Americans Prefer Nuclear Plants Over AI Data Centers: Poll
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