71% of Americans Oppose Local AI Data Centers as 48% Strongly Resist Construction
Updated
Updated · Gallup · May 13
71% of Americans Oppose Local AI Data Centers as 48% Strongly Resist Construction
5 articles · Updated · Gallup · May 13
71% of Americans oppose building AI data centers in their area, including 48% who are strongly opposed, while only about a quarter favor them, Gallup found in its March 2-18 survey.
70% say they worry at least a fair amount about data centers' environmental impact, and opponents most often cite heavy water and electricity use, pollution, traffic and higher utility bills.
53% oppose a nuclear plant in their area—well below the 71% against data centers—showing sharper local resistance to AI infrastructure than to a technology Gallup has tracked since 2001.
Democrats show the strongest intensity of opposition at 56%, versus 39% of Republicans, while overall resistance stays broad across demographic groups and is highest in the Midwest and South.
Gallup said that 'not in my backyard' sentiment could become a major obstacle to AI expansion, fueling local activism, legal challenges and political risk for officials backing new projects.
Who should pay for the massive energy and water infrastructure that the AI revolution requires?
As AI's energy demand soars, can technology solve the environmental crisis it's creating?
Widespread Public Resistance to AI Data Centers: 70% of Americans Say "Not in My Backyard"
Overview
As of May 2026, the expansion of AI infrastructure in the United States is facing strong public resistance, with a widespread 'not in my backyard' attitude against building local AI data centers. This intense opposition, highlighted by a Gallup survey showing 70% of Americans against nearby data centers and nearly half strongly opposed, has become a major hurdle for technology companies. The resistance is so strong that more Americans would rather live near a nuclear power plant than a data center. This hardening stance is sparking grassroots activism, legal challenges, and is set to become a key issue in upcoming local and state elections.