Key facts
- A poll found 79% of voters in New York's 12th congressional district are concerned about tech companies' closeness to President Trump and its impact on democracy.
- 81% of respondents expressed concern about AI companies stealing data and private information.
- 71% of respondents are concerned about AI-integrated surveillance.
- Over 70% of Americans oppose the construction of hyper-scale data centers, according to Gallup.
- New York enacted the first statewide moratorium on new data center construction.
- The Trump administration issued an executive order to limit states' ability to regulate AI.
President Donald Trump's administration remains strongly in favor of artificial intelligence innovation and the expansion of data centers, despite growing public anxiety and backlash against these facilities. A recent poll conducted in New York's 12th congressional district revealed significant voter skepticism, with 79% expressing concern that tech companies are too closely aligned with Trump and are undermining democracy. Furthermore, 81% of respondents cited data theft and privacy concerns related to AI, while 71% flagged AI-integrated surveillance as a major issue.
This public sentiment contrasts sharply with the administration's pro-AI stance, which has included courting AI moguls and promoting the development of data centers to meet increasing demand. The poll also indicated that a substantial portion of voters feel both parties have been influenced by corporate interests and special interests, with Democratic leadership reportedly accepting millions from AI super PACs. Strategists have warned incumbent Democratic candidates against antagonizing the tech industry, despite the potential popularity of an adversarial stance with voters.
Nationwide, opposition to data centers is widespread, with Gallup reporting that about 70% of Americans, including a majority of Republicans, oppose their construction in their local areas. This has led many politicians to distance themselves from such projects. Governors like Kathy Hochul in New York have enacted statewide moratoriums, while others, such as Ron DeSantis in Florida, have imposed conditions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott suspended data center projects pending an audit, and even prominent Republicans like Vivek Ramaswamy have publicly stated they are not 'pro-data center.'
The sheer scale of these facilities, their significant resource demands for power and cooling, and the limited job creation post-construction contribute to public opposition. Reports indicate that at least 75 data center projects, valued at approximately $130 billion, were halted in the first three months of 2026 alone. Adding to the controversy, the Trump administration signed an executive order aimed at limiting states' ability to regulate AI, favoring industry lobbyists over consumer and advocate concerns.