AI Companies Are Thirsty for Data Centers, but Americans Oppose Them Nearby - CNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. A recent Gallup poll found that a majority of Americans oppose data centers, which require extensive amounts of electricity and water to operate, and negatively affect local communities. Nvidia’s data centers, which are increasingly handling data demands from AI technology, are among those being held up to higher scrutiny across US communities. There’s a growing backlash against the construction of local data centers, which consume massive amounts of electricity for compute and water for cooling in order to power artificial intelligence. According to a newly released Gallup survey, 7 out of 10 (71%) Americans oppose new AI data center construction in their area, with nearly half (48%) saying they’re strongly opposed. Data centers have drawn increased scrutiny and resistance, with concerns about water shortages, noise and air pollution, and the depletion of land and energy resources. Communities ac