06/11/2026
Artificial intelligence is facing growing resistance across the United States, with 7 in 10 Americans now opposing new data centers.
And that resistance is already slowing some of the momentum behind the AI boom.
Behind every chatbot response and AI-generated image is a vast network of industrial data centers operating around the clock and consuming significant resources.
What was once viewed as an abstract issue tied to things like creativity and automation has increasingly become a local issue, as communities focus on the physical footprint of artificial intelligence.
According to a recent national poll, 71% of Americans oppose data centers being built near their homes — a 49-point shift in public opinion compared with nine months ago.
This opposition crosses political, geographic, and generational lines, with concerns expressed by 80% of adults aged 18 to 34, nearly 80% of Democrats, and roughly two-thirds of Republicans.
Many of those concerned have also begun taking action, and the effects are becoming noticeable.
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, public opposition contributed to the cancellation of at least 20 proposed data center projects, representing more than $41 billion in planned investment and 3.5 gigawatts of projected electricity demand.
While tech companies argue these facilities are essential to the modern digital economy, many local communities remain concerned about the environmental and social costs. Residents have raised questions about rising utility bills, noise from cooling systems, and large-scale water and power consumption. As some states consider restrictions on large-scale facilities, the industry is facing increasing grassroots resistance.
