71% of Americans Reject Local AI Data Centers While Supporting AI Safety Rules

A March 2024 Gallup survey found 71% of Americans oppose AI data center construction in their neighborhoods, with 48% strongly opposed. The same respondents favor AI safety regulations and independent testing nationally. This mirrors historical opposition to nuclear plants (53% local opposition despite 61% national support) and earlier resistance to cellular towers. The gap reflects Americans' embrace of technology benefits while rejecting infrastructure impacts nearby—a dynamic that may slow domestic AI development relative to competitors facing fewer local constraints.