Data center projects are facing increasing opposition from local communities.
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In a country that doesn't tend to agree on anything, Americans are aligning on something: no data centers in their backyards.For all the growing anti-AI sentiment, the tech still has plenty of fans. The infrastructure powering it is a different story, though.A Gallup survey earlier this year found that 70% of Americans don't want data centers built where they live.(If you would welcome a data center in your neighborhood, we'd legitimately love to hear from you. Drop me a line.)Supporters of the tech are now reckoning with a population that's pushing back against a key piece of their AI plans.On Wednesday, President Donald Trump told reporters data centers "could use a little public relations help." He remains supportive, adding that "if I were a governor or a mayor, I would want that plant in my community."Yesterday, venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya chimed in, calling data-center backlash a "powder keg" that AI executives have "failed miserably" at addressing.Overcoming the bad vibes around data centers is a battle on multiple fronts.The immediate response from some AI giants has been to throw money at the problem.
