Which of the following should be prioritized when it comes to data center construction?

Improve AI development (11%) – "If America stops being at the forefront of the AI revolution and frontier model development, it would have a catastrophic effect on the US economy, our national security, and overall global standing."

Ensure data centers don’t harm local communities (84%) – "I think there needs to be open conversations with communities regarding the environmental and economic costs as well as the economic benefits. Town halls should be happening in all states. These centers seem to be given carte blanche by the current administration."

• "In the locations where AI centers have been developed in the past years, there have been widespread increases in utility bills, pollution, and have even led to droughts in some areas. AI development will never be more important than the lives of human beings. Also, AI data centers are not a necessity, unlike water, clean air, and other things."

"I am living near a county where the Effingham GA - Camilla data center is being proposed. It is not only wiping out wildlife, it is predicted to use more water than it should. With the Hyundai plant in Bryan county, over 3000 acres were destroyed, including displaced wildlife, disruption for our rural communities, and water wells are starting to run dry. I voted this way, because it is impacting our communities in GA and that part is not being addressed."

• "I think there needs to be open conversations with communities regarding the environmental and economic costs as well as the economic benefits. Town halls should be happening in all states. These centers seem to be given carte blanche by the current administration."

"My community has rallied together to oppose new data center construction. Our local reservoir feeds three counties. We recently had a drought that dropped the reservoir approximately 10 feet. Periods of drought are not uncommon in our area. If a data center is swilling hundreds of millions of gallons of water EACH DAY, our reservoir will dry up. Then where do we get water necessary for life? This doesn’t even take into consideration the electrical use, noise, and air pollution. And just how many permanent jobs does a data center bring? Not enough to justify giving them tax breaks to build here. We say no!"

• "If the centers are permitted close to a community, then the community should not be responsible for running the center with higher electric bills and water issues. They make enough money to not cost the residents more in power and water."

"Data centers represent anti-human infrastructure. These AI companies want to come in and use and abuse the land, they don’t actually want to share any stake in the community they’re disrupting. If a data center is to be built in a community, that community should demand meaningful pro-human infrastructure built in tandem as compensation. Projects that would develop long-term jobs after construction, which would enliven the community and address their concerns. If AI won’t provide better lives for us, then why bother building it at all? The money is there, we just need the wisdom to spend it well."

• "Communities should be able to voice their opinions on any new development. It seems as if data centers are trying to sneak in without input. Our electric grids are old. It seems fair that they should put the bill for upgrades if they are indeed going to use massive amounts of electricity."

Unsure/other (5%) – "I'm supportive of building new data centers only if the costs and benefits are structured fairly. These facilities place significant demands on local water, power, and other infrastructure. If the government requires data center developers/owners not only to pay for the construction of the facilities themselves, but also to fund the necessary upgrades to the electrical grid, water systems, and related infrastructure, that can be a net positive for communities. Ideally, those investments would improve public infrastructure in ways that reduce costs and improve service for existing residents rather than shifting the burden onto taxpayers. My larger concern is whether government is capable of creating and enforcing those kinds of balanced regulations. Effective regulation requires elected officials who are accountable to citizens and willing to govern in the public interest. Unfortunately, factors such as the influence of money in politics following Citizens United and the prevalence of extreme gerrymandering have reduced incentives for many legislators to compromise and solve problems. As a result, it can be difficult to pass thoughtful federal policies that both encourage innovation and protect the public for generations to come. If we want responsible growth in industries like AI and data centers, we also need political reforms that strengthen accountability and make government more responsive to voters."