Americans' growing concern over ai's environmental impact revealed in new poll

A new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago shows 53% of Americans are 'extremely' or 'very' concerned about AI's environmental impact, up from 41% last year. Democrats show the highest level of concern, with two-thirds expressing worry, while about half of independents and 40% of Republicans share similar concerns. The poll highlights broader worries about the local impact of data centers, with 60% supporting limits on new construction. Michael Greenstone noted the urgency of addressing AI's environmental consequences. Data centers, which already consume significant electricity and water, are expected to account for 11.8% of U.S. electricity use by 2030. About two-thirds of Americans support requiring data centers to use clean energy. Nancy Antunes criticized the lack of community input in data center decisions, while Mary Fisher felt the issue is distant. The survey, conducted in July 2026, had a margin of error of ±2.2 percentage points. The poll also found that about a quarter of U.S. adults see data centers as highly beneficial for technological advancement, with Republicans more likely to view them positively. However, 30% of Republicans still doubt their benefits for infrastructure and jobs. Gedeon Kebede acknowledged AI's importance for future jobs despite his concerns. Erik Nordman emphasized the scale of infrastructure needed to support data centers. The findings underscore a growing public awareness of AI's environmental footprint, with calls for sustainable practices and regulatory oversight.