Water and energy usage are what worry us most about data centers
The Ipsos Consumer Tracker, fielded on Ipsos' Omnibus platform, asks Americans questions about culture, the economy and the forces that shape our lives. Here's one thing we learned this week.
Why we asked: In a previous wave, we found bipartisan dislike for AI data centers. Since then, there has only been more pushback in the news. So we wondered just how concerned people are, and what exactly they’re concerned about. Note this fielded BEFORE the recent comments by former AI developers, who asserted that AI has the potential to wipe out humanity before today’s kindergarteners make it through high school.
What we found: A plurality are very concerned (37%) and a sizeable majority (69%) are concerned. That’s pretty consistent across age groups. Only 9% are not at all concerned. Democrats are more concerned (80%), but a majority of Republicans are too (59%).
When it comes to what they’re concerned about, strains on water (50%) and energy supplies (41%) top the list. Personal concerns are lower on the list, as are environmental concerns about air pollution, noise pollution and carbon emissions. Democrats are more concerned about everything except loss of rural character and long-term job creation. Younger folks are two to three times as likely as other age groups to say they’re worried about the degree to which data center construction is propping up the entire U.S. economy.
More insights from this wave of the Ipsos Consumer Tracker:
Most Americans aren’t thinking about climate’s impact on their wallet… yet
Americans show we care by… texting
Americans want customer interactions to be human, not AI
Americans still trust humans more than AI
Food illnesses are leading two in three Americans to change buying behavior
Almost all younger people are trying to limit their screen time
Americans are concerned about nearly every aspect of electronic privacy
The original 'Star Wars' films are the best, say American fans
The Ipsos Care-o-Meter: What does America know about vs. what does America care about?
