How the data center boom could end
Our recent survey on global AI attitudes shows that American voters are beginning to respond to the ongoing political debates around data centers. Across all 15 markets we polled, the US was in a world of its own on attitudes toward data centers. Asked if they want more or fewer data centers to be built, Americans practically split down the middle. Every other country we surveyed clearly leaned toward wanting to build more.
Net support for building more data centers rather than fewer
% wanting more minus % wanting fewer, 2026.
How did the US, the heart of AI’s boom, become the thorn in its side?
Our survey provides a few explanations.
Informed Opposition
The public is more aware than before of what AI is and does, and of what data centers are and do. When we were polling AI 5 years ago, it was a fringe interest at best. We’ve now seen clear growth in awareness and understanding, and more developed usage of tools, particularly among the 25-44 year old age range. Our analysis of who is aware of AI has needed to move from “who has opened an LLM” to “who is using LLMs in a sophisticated, integrated way”.
Our survey shows that America is middle of the pack when it comes to claimed awareness of data centers. One of the higher levels compared to other “developed” markets. We’d expect as much, reflecting the level of data center roll-out in America.
How much people know about data centers
% saying they know "a fair amount" or "a lot" about data centres, by country, 2026.
However, this means the opposition toward data centers in America is now coming in part from those who actually know a fair bit about the area. For example, 36% of those who want to see fewer data centers built in America, are themselves using AI once a week or more.
It is still the case that those who use AI more often, are more positive on the data center build-out. Those who have never used an AI tool (knowingly, anyway) are uncertain and latently a bit negative. Those who use these tools daily are the biggest advocates for the infrastructure that backs it up.
Whether people want more or fewer data centers, by AI use
% by preferred number of data centres, by frequency of AI use, 2026.
But with this support not passing into majority territory, the creation of informed opposition to data centers is a problem for advocates. The best way to convince low-information opposition is often information. For high information opposition, it can be challenging. We note how sticky perceptions of, for example, data center water usage are among the oppositional group even when we split by AI usage as a proxy for engagement.
Perceived water usage of a typical data center, by AI use and stance
% by perceived water usage of a typical data centre, 2026.
It is easier for politicians who oppose data centers to appeal to voters who are listening to the discussion, which leads to the next problem…
Partisan Opportunity
At the core of America’s declining data center sentiment, is a partisan split that we do not see reflected in other countries. Those who intend to vote for Republican candidates have a +24% lean toward building more data centers rather than fewer. Democratic voters, on the other hand, have a -8% lean toward building fewer.
Whether people want more or fewer data centers
% by preferred number of data centres, by party, 2026.
Much of our survey work has shown that once something passes into being perceived as a partisan issue in the US, it is hard to bring back. Increasingly Republicans are seen to be close to big technology companies, to be the advocates for AI. Our recent polling as part of The POLITICO Poll showed how AI advocates are building partisan opposition faster than partisan advocates.
For Democratic candidates, this becomes a bit of an open goal. The chief concerns about data centers are their implications for local energy costs. In a midterm election where affordability is front and center, it is unlikely many candidates will miss the opportunity to frame the apparent GOP commitment to AI as a commitment to keeping bills high. The campaign ads write themselves.
Conditions the public would require of new data centers, by candidate support
% selecting each condition as a requirement, by candidate support, 2026.
Democratic voters now have stronger demands on data centers. Particularly on environmental commitments, and on water usage. There is partisan misalignment on the facts about data centers. 57% of Democratic voters believe data centers use a large amount of water, just 42% of Republican voters.
As is true everywhere in the world, politicians will take the opportunities they have. If informed opposition grows, politicians can use it to drive a wedge in their opponents’ coalitions, and entrench those views. It looks like this is beginning to happen in the US. The midterms may well put a nail in the coffin.
A warning, or an opportunity
For other countries, the results here show two things.
Firstly, this is what happens when an infrastructure discussion slips into being a political discussion. Data centers have proven fertile territory for turning intangible complaints about AI and the GOP backing for it, into a tangible argument about affordability. If, and when, AI attitudes take a turn south elsewhere in the world, we can expect some political leaders there will follow suit.
But, secondly, this is an indication that the build out American technology requires is hitting a new barrier. In that context, other countries could push for that investment to move away from America to their own territory. With attitudes toward the US also taking a turn in the last few years, the argument for sovereign data storage could prove an easier avenue for getting data centers built.
The nosedive in American sentiment toward data centers is a warning to other countries who want to see the benefits of the next wave of critical infrastructure. But it may also be the best opportunity they have to realize it.
