- Artificial Intelligence
- Economics
- Politics, Institutions, and Public Opinion
- Understanding the Effects of Technology on Economics and Governance
Abstract: Where data centers locate to fuel the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is of burgeoning political importance with economic and environmental implications. We highlight local factors associated with siting and opposition. Our key finding is that Democratic vote share is a uniquely strong predictor of opposition despite bipartisan concern about AI in national polls. We discuss implications of politically-slanted AI infrastructure development in a federalist system of local jurisdiction, noting it may direct future data centers to Republican-leaning counties that currently have lower residential electricity prices but higher emissions rates and larger electricity costs as a share of household income.
