A new survey reveals differences between how Americans at various income levels perceive data centers.
A survey of over 4,000 Americans on their attitudes toward data centers reveals stark differences between the highest-earning and lowest-earning households, reports Brian Merchant for Blood in the Machine.
"According to the poll, 55% of Americans 'strongly' oppose data centers being built in their areas. This is 'a record low that reveals a staggering shift in public opinion against the facilities powering the artificial intelligence boom.'" The survey found that "Democrats, people living in rural areas, and young people are especially opposed: 80% of poll respondents aged 18-35 were against data centers."
The analysis found that "The highest rate of resistance comes from neighborhoods with a median income of between $8,000 and $72,000," with the lowest rate of resistance found in households making over $133,000 a year. "This flies directly in the face of the notion that data center opposition is led by well-off Patagonia-clad NIMBYs; neighborhoods that are poor or working class are pushing back far more frequently than the affluent."
FULL STORY: Working class neighborhoods are resisting data centers at 5 times the rate of wealthy ones
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