Americans overwhelmingly oppose data centers. Women most of all (19thnews.org)

A recent Gallup survey reveals that more than two-thirds of Americans oppose the construction of data centers, which are essential for powering AI technologies, with a notable intensity of resistance among women. While 55% of women surveyed strongly oppose these facilities—citing concerns over environmental impacts such as water scarcity, pollution, and public health risks—43% of men expressed similar sentiments. The survey highlights how women disproportionately engage in activism regarding environmental issues, thus underscoring their leadership in grassroots movements against data centers, particularly in marginalized communities that experience the brunt of ecological degradation. The growing opposition comes at a significant political moment, with the topic emerging as a bipartisan concern ahead of upcoming midterm elections. Politicians from both parties are now feeling pressure to take stances on data centers, which have been linked to deteriorating local conditions, as exemplified by Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's stark presentation of polluted drinking water attributed to a nearby data center. The findings indicate a shift in public discourse surrounding AI infrastructure, emphasizing the urgency of addressing environmental accountability as communities resist the expansion of data centers that threaten their health and well-being.