Americans are worried about AI — but how it will affect the midterm elections is less clear. Ask Americans how they feel about artificial intelligence, and most will say they have concerns. Communities have resisted data center projects, delaying them across the U.S. On social media, anger toward AI companies and their executives is unbridled — sometimes to the point of justifying violence.
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But look at the issues most campaigns focus on, and artificial intelligence is much less prominent, experts say. More than 60 percent of both Republicans and Democrats surveyed by Ipsos earlier this year agree that the government should regulate artificial intelligence for economic stability and public safety, and that the technology’s development should be slowed.
However, “when you simply ask people, ‘What’s on your mind?’ artificial intelligence and data centers are not at the top of the list — at least not yet,” says Ipsos Public Affairs chief pollster Alec Tyson.
For now, broad issues like the economy and immigration remain priorities for many voters. “There’s a certain amount of oxygen for the top issues that Americans have on their minds, and we’re living in a very active moment,” Tyson says. “The amount of space or potential for another issue to emerge has to be a pretty intense or powerful concern. And we just don’t see that at the national level with AI yet.”
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There is also a lack of clear partisan lines. Data Center Watch, a group that tracks data center projects and opposition to them, found that 55 percent of politicians who publicly opposed large projects were Republicans and 45 percent were Democrats. There is also bipartisan concern about the impact of AI chatbots on children. While Republican politicians have led the effort to override state AI laws, there is still disagreement in both parties.
Still, with months to go until the election, discussions — and open conflicts — about artificial intelligence are heating up. Tech executives warn that their companies will upend people’s lives — Anthropic CEO Dario Amodeihas warned that AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs, and Palantir CEO Alex Karphas said that Democratic voters could see their economic power diminish while “working, often male voters” will benefit.
Activists have responded. Most efforts are peaceful, including demonstrations and messages to lawmakers.
But some opposition has turned to violence. Three suspects allegedly attacked Sam Altman in two separate attacks within days, and some reactions on social media have suggested the attacks were justified. Similar to the jubilant reaction of many in the public after the killing of the UnitedHealthcare, the violence has highlighted an underlying frustration among Americans.
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Data centers have already become a flashpoint at the local level. Opposition to these projects has blocked or delayed $64 billion worth of development across the country, according to Data Center Watch. At the federal level, lawmakers like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) are advocating a freeze on data center development.
