A nationwide survey conducted by Fox News from July 17 to 20, 2026, indicates that a significant majority of U.S. voters oppose the construction of data centers in their areas to support artificial intelligence initiatives. The poll reveals that 70% of respondents are against building data centers, while only 30% are in favor, reflecting a 40-point margin of opposition. Support for data centers is notably higher among MAGA supporters (46% favor) and Republican men (45%), whereas 84% of White women with a college degree and 80% of liberal voters oppose them.
Among those who support data centers, 60% cite economic benefits such as job creation and tax revenue as their primary reasons, while 21% mention technological benefits. Conversely, 50% of those opposing data centers express concerns about environmental issues, including energy consumption and pollution. Other concerns include quality of life (14%) and economic effects (11%).
The survey also found that while data centers are unpopular, views on artificial intelligence are somewhat mixed, with 45% of voters holding a favorable opinion and 54% viewing it unfavorably. Positive perceptions of AI are higher among MAGA Republicans (55% favorable) and voters with graduate degrees (52%). Younger voters, particularly those under 30, are the least favorable towards AI, with only 38% expressing a positive view.
The poll indicates that nearly 80% of voters prefer a slower pace of data center construction to address environmental and community concerns, while only 20% favor rapid development to maintain a competitive edge over other countries. The survey included 1,003 registered voters and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.