A new Fox News national survey reveals a significant gap between voters' support for artificial intelligence infrastructure and their willingness to host it locally. While a majority of Americans acknowledge the national necessity of AI data centers, 71% oppose building them in their own communities, including 46% who strongly oppose. This 'Not In My Backyard' sentiment has intensified slightly since earlier in the summer, reflecting growing concerns over the economic and environmental costs of the technology.
The poll highlights a paradox in public opinion: while local opposition is high, 52% of voters favor constructing data centers in remote locations. This divide is consistent across urban, suburban, and rural areas, where approximately 7 in 10 voters reject local construction. However, support for remote facilities varies by community type, with 57% of suburban voters and 50% of urban voters in favor, compared to 51% of rural voters who remain opposed.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic voters and progressive groups are driving much of the opposition to AI infrastructure, particularly regarding local impacts. The poll indicates that Democrats are more likely than Republicans to oppose data centers, whether near their communities or in remote areas. A majority of voters believe Democrats would handle the construction of AI data centers better than Republicans, a sentiment that holds strong among Black voters, those under age 30, and independents.
Concerns about environmental strain and local resource depletion resonate with this demographic. When voters are informed that data centers could strain local water supplies or raise energy bills, support for construction drops by approximately 28 to 29 points. This suggests that progressive arguments focusing on community protection and environmental sustainability are gaining traction among the Democratic base and independent voters.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican voters, particularly those aligned with the MAGA movement, are more favorable toward AI technology and infrastructure, though local concerns still persist. Non-White men and voters with graduate degrees show the most favorable views of AI. The poll found that support for data centers increases when voters are presented with arguments about national security and economic competitiveness, such as maintaining an edge over China.
Despite overall favorability toward the technology, Republicans face a challenge on the generic congressional ballot among voters who support data center construction. While Republicans hold a 21-point advantage among those who allow construction in their communities, this narrows to 9 points among those who only support remote facilities. This indicates that even among tech-friendly voters, the manner and location of infrastructure development influence political preferences.
What the Numbers Show
The survey presents a stark picture of growing AI pessimism among the general electorate. Overall, AI technology is viewed more negatively than positively by a margin of 23 points (37% favorable vs. 60% unfavorable), a widening gap from an 11-point deficit in April. Majorities believe AI is bad for the U.S. economy (54% vs. 36%), mental health (54% vs. 34%), society (56% vs. 34%), the environment (60% vs. 30%), and jobs (63% vs. 29%).
The only exception to this negative trend is day-to-day life, where AI is viewed slightly more favorably than unfavorably by 4 points, a decrease from an 11-point spread in November 2025. Regarding political alignment, voters who view AI favorably back Republican candidates by 7 points, while those with unfavorable views back Democrats by 17 points. Additionally, 76% of voters favor banning AI in kindergarten through eighth-grade classrooms, with support peaking at 81% among mothers.
The Bottom Line
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, AI infrastructure has emerged as a potential wedge issue that transcends traditional party lines. Republican pollster Daron Shaw noted that technology is no longer just a tool but a factor that shapes voter coalitions. Campaigns that effectively address local anxieties regarding water, energy, and noise while emphasizing national competitive advantages may sway independent voters.
The data suggests a clear political divide: Democrats hold a 14-point advantage on handling AI data center construction, driven by cross-party defections where 15% of Republicans prefer Democratic leadership on the issue. With opposition to local construction rising and overall AI sentiment declining, candidates from both parties will likely face pressure to propose strict regulatory frameworks or community benefit agreements for new data center projects. Voters remain skeptical of the technology's broader societal impact, with nearly two-thirds viewing it as detrimental to jobs and the environment.