Vast majority of Americans oppose data centers while using AI: Poll
A growing share of Americans are using artificial intelligence while expressing skepticism about both the technology and the massive data centers being built to power it.
TL;DR
- Seventy-one percent of the public believes the costs of data centers outweigh their benefits, an increase from January.
- Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported using an AI application in the past month, up from April.
- Sixty-four percent of the public views AI development as bad for society.
- Even among AI users, a majority (56%) consider the technology bad for society.
- Concerns about AI development have led to calls for slowing down frontier AI development from industry leaders and legislative proposals for safeguards.
- High water use (54%) and higher electricity costs (51%) are identified as key costs of data centers.
- Data centers are the least popular among five types of industrial or commercial developments, with only 12% wanting one built in their area.