The logic of the AI arms race goes like this: AI promises never-before-seen capabilities and efficiencies. Investors, entrepreneurs, and enterprises throw their money at it. AI requires certain things—electricity, space, silicon—to be at its best, so everyone throws their money at those, too.
But all that stuff has to go somewhere. And for the people who live in those communities? Well, the math ain’t mathin’.
A new Gallup poll shows that 7 in 10 Americans oppose building AI data centers in their communities. Nearly half were “strongly opposed.”
“[AI data centers] cover large areas of land, require extensive amounts of electricity to operate, and need substantial water to cool the equipment, raising concerns about their impact on the environment and local electric bills,” Gallup writes.
Interestingly, more Americans welcome nuclear power plants in their backyards than AI data centers—a remarkable statement for anyone who lived through the 1980s.
Why so much local opposition if AI promises economic glory? Rising utility bills, for one. Pollution is another. And given municipalities’ sudden hunger for such facilities, the misuse of taxpayer money is up there, too.
By the way: Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to strongly oppose AI data centers in their backyards. But distaste is found across the political spectrum, Gallup says.
“Most Americans appear to be adopting a ‘not in my backyard’ attitude to building additional data centers,” the firm writes, adding: “Politicians who favor data centers in their area are likely taking a politically risky stance.”
—AN
