57 percent of Americans say AI is bad for society, poll finds

Any company planning a new data centre now faces a crowd that does not want it next door. ABC News reports that 72 percent of Americans oppose one in their own community. The share rises to 78 percent in rural areas. The poll was published on 21 October.

The pollsters are ABC News, the Washington Post and Ipsos. They surveyed 2,545 United States adults. The dates were 9 to 13 October. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 points. ABC News reports that 66 percent of respondents oppose any new data centre in the country. 30 percent said they would support one.

What people think of AI itself

ABC News reports that 57 percent say AI is bad for society. 42 percent say it is good. 17 percent said it is extremely bad. 2 percent said it is extremely good.

Younger adults were the most negative. 65 percent of people under 30 called AI bad for society. The share was 59 percent for 30 to 39 year olds. For adults 40 and over, it was 53 percent.

The parties split. 63 percent of Democrats said AI is bad for society. 58 percent of independents said the same. Republicans were close to even. 51 percent said AI is good. 47 percent said it is bad.

What people expect from AI jobs

The industry case for a new data centre leans on local jobs. The poll reports that most Americans do not believe them. 13 percent said AI has a big chance of creating many new jobs. 52 percent said it has little or no chance.

The near-term consequence

Local opposition stands at 72 percent. In rural areas it is 78 percent. A founder planning compute buildout now carries that number into every zoning meeting. The job story is hard to make to the people who would live near the plant. A company placing hardware near a town needs a public plan for water, power and tax receipts. The plan has to answer these figures directly.

Companies that lease compute will feel it too. A provider's permit may be delayed. A nearby plant may pay more for electricity. A state legislature may write a new rule on top of federal grid policy. ABC News reports the Trump administration has pushed federal land for AI facility construction. The fight is now local and visible.

Source

ABC News, reporting on an ABC News, Washington Post and Ipsos poll of 2,545 adults.