The More Americans Learn About Data Centers, the Less They Like Them

There are over 1,200 data centers scattered throughout the US, and because of the AI boom, many extra are on the best way.

These knowledge facilities additionally, it appears, verify the adage “familiarity breeds contempt.”

A brand new survey from the Pew Analysis Council, performed in January and revealed Thursday, discovered that the extra Individuals find out about knowledge facilities — and their results on house vitality prices, high quality of life, the setting, native jobs, and tax income — the extra cynical they really feel about them.

“Two-thirds of adults who’ve heard lots about knowledge facilities say they’re largely unhealthy for house vitality prices, in contrast with 42% of those that have heard just a little,” the middle reported. “And 63% of those that have heard lots in regards to the amenities say they’re largely unhealthy for the setting, in contrast with 48% of those that have heard just a little.”

Pew discovered that 25% of adults know “lots” about knowledge facilities, whereas 50% stated “just a little” and 25% stated “nothing in any respect.” It surveyed 8,500 Individuals for the report.

Whereas knowledge facilities have been round for many years, their numbers are skyrocketing as firms like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and others race to develop ever extra clever AI fashions.

Firms like Oracle, for instance, will make investments $500 billion over 4 years in AI infrastructure for OpenAI in a enterprise referred to as Stargate, which is backed by the Trump administration. The president has made knowledge middle development a key pillar of his administration’s strategy to defeat China within the race to develop superior synthetic intelligence.

Many Individuals outdoors Silicon Valley, nevertheless, really feel as enthusiastic about one other new knowledge middle as they do about AI general. Some communities at the moment are pushing again, citing issues about vitality prices and the setting. Tensions have flared at protests, city hall meetings, and on Capitol Hill.

In response to those rising issues, tech leaders stated this month they might cowl a larger share of data center energy costs throughout a go to to the White Home.

“They are going to be making their very own electrical energy,” Trump stated of the tech firms. “They don’t seem to be going to be taking from the grid.”

These firms signed a “pledge” to offer their very own energy, which, in the long run, is voluntary and contains no repercussions if they do not comply.