AI and data centres hurt Trump and Republicans among independents as midterm elections near
Weeks before the US midterm elections, a new poll bodes well for Democrats , particularly for candidates pushing for more AI regulation . According to a Quinnipiac University survey released on Tuesday, 73 per cent of voters oppose the building of AI data centres in their community. That is pushing more voters to Democratic candidates, who are often viewed as being more sympathetic to data centre…
As the US midterm elections approach, a recent Quinnipiac University poll suggests Democrats may gain an advantage, particularly among independents who are wary of AI and data centres. According to the survey, 73% of voters oppose the construction of AI data centres in their communities, a sentiment that could sway voters towards Democratic candidates known for their sympathies towards data centre opposition and AI regulation.
The poll shows 51% of voters prefer a Democratic win in the US House of Representatives, compared to 39% who favor the Republican Party retaining control. If these figures persist until Election Day, Democrats could potentially secure control of both the US Senate and House, which might limit President Donald Trump's agenda in his final two years in office.
Tim Malloy, a polling analyst at Quinnipiac, noted that voters are "so concerned about AI's potential to cause harm that nearly eight out of 10 favor safety over the race to dominate AI development." They are more likely to vote for candidates who support this approach. Concerns about AI's impact on the labor market, environmental consequences from data centres, and multiple AI-induced cybersecurity incidents have contributed to a growing unease among voters regarding unregulated AI.
Despite these concerns, President Trump has consistently dismissed them as "a hoax." During a recent AI-driven government website unveiling, he dismissed calls for stricter AI regulations. Following the website launch, Trump confirmed on his app, Truth Social, that he was hosting a lunch with several AI and technology executives, including representatives from Palantir, AMD, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Anthropic, Nvidia, and Google.
While the poll provides some positive news for Democrats, it also paints a less favorable picture for the Republican Party. Voters expressed more confidence in Democrats regarding issues such as the economy, international conflicts, healthcare, and government corruption. Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at rebranding AI as "super intelligence," hoping this would change public perception.
He suggested that once people begin viewing AI more favorably, data centres will become more popular and beneficial to communities, thereby helping to address concerns about their impact on the local economy.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
