Data center opposition is rising sharply, Penn survey says

Key Points:

• West Philadelphia resident Sharmin Hossain and others are rallying against the rapid expansion of data centers that power artificial intelligence, citing concerns about climate change, high electricity usage, water consumption, and increased surveillance.
• A University of Pennsylvania survey shows opposition to new data centers has risen sharply from 49% to 61% in just four months, with resistance cutting across political lines and demographics, making it a rare bipartisan issue.
• Despite growing opposition to data centers, public opinion on artificial intelligence itself remains stable, with 39% expecting negative impacts and 68% believing too little regulation has been implemented.
• Researchers emphasize that opposition to data centers is widespread and not limited to local "not in my backyard" sentiments, with younger adults showing higher levels of concern.
• Critics argue that data center developers’ claims about the necessity of these facilities to support AI usage are unconvincing amid fears about environmental impact and corporate surveillance practices.