AI backlash concentrated in blue states, posing risk to Democrats

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.

Furthermore, a survey by the University of Pennsylvania revealed that a majority of Americans consider AI's deployment to involve significant risks, with 65% believing the government is doing too little to regulate it. Rising electricity prices, partly driven by the energy demands of data centers, are also becoming a campaign issue. The concentration of AI-exposed workers in Democratic-voting areas suggests that this issue could become a make-or-break factor for the party in the upcoming elections.