{
  "id": 15978440,
  "title": "AI and Data Centers Will Impact Midterm Voting, According to Experts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/ai-and-data-centers-will-impact-midterm-voting-according-to-experts",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-22T00:24:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNET",
    "slug": "cnet",
    "url": "https://www.cnet.com/news/politics/polls-experts-ai-data-centers-midterm-voting/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Artificial intelligence and data centers are emerging as major concerns in the upcoming midterm elections, according to experts. A recent poll conducted by ABC News, the Washington Post, and Ipsos reveals that a majority of Americans (57%) believe AI is detrimental to society, with many highlighting the dangers it poses over the potential benefits. Additionally, 66% of respondents oppose the construction of new data centers in the US, with 72% opposing those in their own communities. This opposition cuts across party lines, with political and polling experts warning that AI's backlash could significantly impact political campaigns and election outcomes.\n\nChristopher Lee, a senior political strategist for Foresight Strategic Advisors, explains that the issue of data centers has become a rare bipartisan concern, potentially \"hammering\" candidates who were not transparent about their potential community impact. The ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey indicates that AI regulation and data center construction are becoming critical election issues alongside the economy, immigration, and the Iran war. A majority (67%) of respondents feel the government is not doing enough to regulate AI, citing risks like job losses, psychological dependency, economic inequality, and even human extinction.\n\nThese fears extend to the election process itself, with AI election interference cited as the top fear for 2026 among Americans. A national PR campaign funded by tech leaders and supported by the Trump administration promoting data centers' benefits has not been as effective as anticipated. Political candidates seem to be more attuned to public sentiment, with many focusing on the problems AI presents rather than its supposed advantages. This shift is evident in the way lawmakers are increasingly linking data centers to consumer energy costs.\n\nThe impact of these issues on the midterms is expected to linger, with Lee predicting that AI and data centers will be significant topics in future elections beyond 2028 and 2030.",
  "summary": "Americans are mostly negative on AI and oppose new data centers near them, another poll shows.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}