A new Gallup poll suggests that public resistance to data center construction is broad, intense and politically mixed. The survey found that roughly 7 in 10 Americans oppose building data centers in their area, while only about one quarter said they support local development.
The results point to a growing challenge for the AI industry as it expands the physical infrastructure needed to power large computing systems. Data centers, which house the servers used to run AI models and other digital services, are increasingly landing in communities where residents are worried about what the facilities could mean for the environment, utility costs and day-to-day life.
Nearly half of respondents, 48%, said they strongly oppose a data center being built near them. By contrast, just 7% said they strongly favor local construction.
Gallup said concerns about environmental impact were the most common reason for opposition. Half of respondents said they were worried about how data centers would affect natural resources. Smaller but still significant shares cited water use, electricity demand and pollution.
The poll found that 18% of Americans were concerned about water consumption, while another 18% worried about pressure on the power grid. Sixteen percent said pollution was a concern.
Other respondents focused on the possible effects on their communities and household budgets. About 22% said they were worried about quality-of-life issues such as property values, traffic and housing. Another 20% pointed to potential cost increases, including higher utility bills and a broader rise in living expenses.
Some opposition appears to be tied to attitudes about AI itself. Fourteen percent of those surveyed said they hold negative views of AI that shape how they feel about data centers.
The survey also found that skepticism toward data center construction is not limited to one political group. Gallup reported opposition from 75% of Democrats, 74% of independents and 63% of Republicans.
That cross-partisan resistance could make data centers an issue in future local or national campaigns, according to Gallup. The organization said the strength of the opposition may lead to neighborhood organizing, public pushback and legal challenges when companies try to build new facilities.
The findings come as AI firms face growing scrutiny over the energy and land demands of the infrastructure behind their products. As models become larger and more widely used, companies are seeking more data center capacity, often in areas far from major tech hubs.
The poll was not entirely negative for developers. Among Americans who said they support data center construction, most expected a local benefit. Gallup said 66% of supporters believe such projects would bring economic gains, including jobs, tax revenue and improvements to infrastructure.
Still, the overall picture suggests that many Americans remain unconvinced that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Gallup framed the issue as a significant obstacle to the expansion of AI computing, especially if local resistance continues to harden.
The results also align with broader signs that public enthusiasm for AI has not kept pace with the industry’s ambitions. For companies building the underlying infrastructure, the poll suggests that winning over communities may become just as important as building more computing power.