Share Of U.S. Adults Using Digital Services Vs. Opposing Local AI Data Centers
With depressed sentiment and elevated energy prices, a backlash against the party in power in the 2026 midterms was hardly surprising. After all, the President’s party has lost House seats in 20 of the 23 past midterms since 1934. What stood out was the scale of the result: Democrats won control of the House and Senate, plus several key governorships in traditionally Republican states. One issue unites Americans across party lines, though: opposition to data centers. In a recent Gallup survey, 71% of respondents opposed local construction of AI data centers. Could public discontent halt the AI buildout? We doubt it. For one thing, Americans rely on data centers far more than they realize, whether asking ChatGPT a question, scrolling through Instagram, watching YouTube, or searching the Internet. Although AI is a growing share of data center demand, conventional digital services still made up nearly half of capacity demand in 2025. For another, it’s reasonable for communities to want a say in where data centers go and clarity on what they’ll bring. Local opposition gives developers more incentive to seek out sites with available power and fewer neighbors. Midterms mark the nation’s mood, but they won’t derail the AI-led growth story.
