Key facts
- AI-exposed workers are disproportionately clustered in Democratic-leaning jurisdictions.
- 62 of the 100 most AI-exposed counties voted Democrat in 2024.
- A majority of Americans believe AI deployment carries significant risks.
- 65% of Americans say the government is doing too little to regulate AI.
- Rising electricity prices due to data center energy needs are a campaign issue.
An analysis by the Brookings Institution indicates that anxiety and backlash against artificial intelligence, including opposition to data center construction, are geographically concentrated in Democratic-leaning areas. This 'techlash' could pose a significant challenge for Democratic candidates in upcoming elections, as a growing number of Americans express negative feelings toward AI and believe the government is not adequately regulating it.
The Brookings report found that 62 out of the 100 most AI-exposed counties voted Democrat in 2024, including traditional blue strongholds like Manhattan and the Bay Area. These areas tend to have higher proportions of white-collar jobs, which are more susceptible to AI automation. This concentration of AI anxiety in areas that already lean Democrat presents a double-edged sword for the party: it could be an advantage if they effectively leverage the issue, but also a vulnerability if the backlash turns local and alienates voters.