Support for AI data centers is heavily tied to opinions on President Trump — who has been an unabashed supporter of artificial intelligence — but the majority of Americans still don’t support building more, according to a new poll.
A new Times/Siena survey of more than 1,500 registered voters found that 61% of responders opposed the construction of AI data centers in the US.
Among those who opposed the construction, 73% said they currently disapprove of Trump’s performance as president.
Meanwhile, 33% of respondents supported the construction of AI data centers, with half of those people approving of Trump’s performance as president.
Opposition to the building of AI data centers was also strongest among young adults, with 73% of respondents between ages 18-29 opposing the construction.
In turn, support for construction of the centers was strongest with seniors, with 37% of supporters being ages 65 and up, according to the poll.
AI data centers have become a polarizing issue in the US as more and more Americans oppose having the large, resource-consuming buildings take up space in their neighborhoods.
Voters listed environmental concerns, water consumption, community impacts and a general distrust of AI among the main reasons they oppose construction of the data centers.
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Both Republicans and Democratic candidates across the country are now using the issue to attack their opponents, including Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) who slammed his Democratic rival on Monday for her previous support of AI data centers and her ties to AI firms.
Despite the backlash against AI data centers, Trump has remained a staunch supporter, arguing that the centers help the US stay on top of the AI race against China.
Trump also warned communities blocking the facilities that they would “end up being backwards and poor.”
