Gallup: Nearly half of Americans strongly oppose local AI data centers

AI data centers require substantial land, water for cooling, and electrical power, making their siting a recurring point of friction with local communities. Rapid expansion of AI infrastructure by major technology companies has accelerated proposals for new facilities across the United States, drawing scrutiny from residents, environmental groups, and local officials concerned about resource use and land impact. Federal and state permitting processes for large energy-intensive facilities have faced pressure from both the industry - seeking faster approvals - and advocacy organizations pushing for stricter environmental review. Public opinion data of this kind is increasingly cited in policy debates over where and how quickly AI infrastructure can be deployed.