More Americans say AI will hurt the environment than help it: Poll

A recent poll reveals growing concern among Americans about the environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI). The survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, found that 53% of Americans are "extremely" or "very" concerned about AI's environmental impacts, up from 41% last year.

Democrats are leading the push for concern, but the poll also highlights broader worries about the local impact of data centers, which power AI and cloud computing.

Data centers, where large amounts of computing power are housed, have become a significant part of the U.S. infrastructure. Virginia and Texas currently have the most data centers, with many more planned, including smaller conventional centers and larger hyperscale ones designed for AI processing needs. The majority of data centers are currently situated in urban areas, but most new facilities are planned for rural areas.

While data centers contribute to AI's environmental footprint, concerns about their environmental impact are rising. The United Nations University predicts that data centers' environmental footprint will grow rapidly as AI becomes more widely adopted. Democrats are particularly worried about AI's environmental consequences, with 67% of them expressing "extreme" or "very" concern compared to 50% of independents and 40% of Republicans.

Most Americans support limiting the number of new data centers, including a majority of both Democrats and Republicans. About 60% of Americans believe that new data centers should be limited, with many expressing concerns about the water usage, electricity consumption, and potential strain on local resources. The environmental impact of data centers is significant, with some estimates suggesting they could account for 11.8% of the U.S.' electricity consumption by 2030.