A majority of Americans now say AI is bad for society and oppose data centre construction, making the issues a potential factor in the midterm elections.
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01Summary
- 0157% of respondents in an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll believe AI is bad for society.
- 0266% oppose new data centres in the US, rising to 72% if built in their own community.
- 03Between January and September 2026, Republican newsletters mentioning electricity bills in data centre discussions rose from 5% to 54%.
- 0467% of those polled feel the government is not doing enough to regulate AI.
- 05Political strategist Christopher Lee said data centre votes could end some politicians' careers.
02Why it matters
These issues could sway key races in the midterms, as voters worry about rising energy costs, water use, and job losses linked to AI and data centres.
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