AI Faces Growing Resistance in US Over Job Fears and Environmental Impact

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly facing public resistance in the United States, according to multiple recent surveys and public reactions reported over the past few months. While major technology companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta continue investing billions of dollars into AI infrastructure, polls show growing concern among Americans about both AI technology and the data centers needed to power it. Concerns range from job losses and automation fears to environmental impact, rising electricity usage and pressure on local communities where large AI facilities are being built.

Americans increasingly worried about AI

A recent Semafor report highlighted rising public backlash against AI, especially among younger Americans. Survey cited by Semafor showed that:

Around 70% of Americans believe AI is moving too fast

More than half hold negative views about AI

Only 18% of young people say they feel hopeful about the technology

Many young job seekers also expressed concern about AI disrupting employment opportunities. “Every other day, a new AI agent is being released in the market,” said Vaishali Hireraddi, a 23-year-old graduate student at the University of California, Davis, quoted by Semafor. “What am I doing with my life?” The survey comes as former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed during a university commencement speech in Arizona after mentioning AI.

Data centers face strong local opposition

At the same time, Americans are also increasingly opposing the construction of AI data centers in their communities. According to a recent Gallup survey, around seven in 10 Americans oppose building data centers in their local area. Nearly half of respondents said they were strongly opposed. Only about a quarter supported such projects. The survey found that opposition to data centers was even higher than opposition to building nuclear power plants nearby. Data centers are large facilities that house computing systems used to power AI tools and cloud services. Tech companies are rapidly expanding these facilities to support growing AI demand.

Environmental concerns driving resistance against data centres

Gallup said environmental concerns were one of the biggest reasons Americans opposed AI data centers. Many respondents worried about:

Heavy electricity consumption

Large water usage for cooling systems

Air and noise pollution

Higher utility bills

Increased traffic and pressure on local infrastructure

About half of those opposed specifically mentioned excessive use of energy and water resources. The survey also found stronger opposition among Democrats and women, although majorities across all political and demographic groups opposed local data center construction.

At least 11 US states plan to ban data centres

According to a Wall Street Journal report last month, at least 11 states have proposed laws to restrict or pause new data centre construction since late 2025, while several others are seeing local protests or policy changes. Maine is likely to become the first state to ban data centres. As per the report, lawmakers are advancing a bill that would pause large data centre construction until November 2027. The proposed rule would apply to projects using at least 20 megawatts of power, enough to supply more than 15,000 homes.