US Residents Fight Data Centers in 50 States as 75% of Rural Voters Fear AI's Political Impact
Updated
Updated · The New Republic · May 19
US Residents Fight Data Centers in 50 States as 75% of Rural Voters Fear AI's Political Impact
7 articles · Updated · The New Republic · May 19
Memphis, Utah, Missouri and other communities are mounting protests, lawsuits and even election backlash against data centers they say were approved with little public scrutiny.
Those fights are being driven by fears that AI-linked facilities drain water, raise electricity bills and pollute locally, while broader anxiety about AI centers on jobs, creativity and mental health.
Rural resistance is especially notable as new projects shift to the South and Midwest: 75% of rural residents surveyed feared AI's effect on politics, and 68% worried about local resources.
That anger has not yet found a clear national political outlet, with local officials leading most responses while neither party has made data centers and AI safeguards a central midterm message.
The gap leaves an opening for candidates—especially Democrats—to tie AI, corporate power and affordability together, even as the Trump administration has favored deregulation and limiting state rules.
Tech CEOs are baffled by public fear of AI. What tangible risks are they failing to see?
As AI erases entry-level jobs, how will the next generation be able to start their careers?
With AI data centers draining power grids, are orbital servers a real solution or science fiction?
America’s AI Backlash: 75% Oppose Data Centers as Public Demands Regulation and Environmental Action
Overview
By mid-2026, the United States is experiencing a strong and growing public backlash against artificial intelligence. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans are aware of AI, but most feel more concerned than excited, a sentiment that has intensified since 2021. This skepticism is driven by worries about economic uncertainty and a lack of clear benefits in daily life. As a result, public anxiety is rising, fueling demands for stricter regulation and greater oversight. The report highlights how these concerns are shaping national debates, influencing political action, and challenging the future direction of AI development in the country.