What Oregonians think about AI & data centers
A survey by DHM Research found that 71% of Oregonians have a negative impression of data centers, and 61% have a negative impression of AI. Public concerns largely revolve around issues such as water and electricity consumption, noise, and the physical size of data center facilities.
John Horvick from DHM Research discussed a new survey on Oregonians' opinions regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and the proliferation of data centers in the state. The survey, which randomly sampled 600 Oregonians representing the state, aimed to gather unbiased data on public sentiment.
Key findings revealed that a significant majority of Oregonians hold negative views towards both technologies. Specifically, 71% of respondents reported having a negative impression of data centers. Additionally, approximately 60-61% expressed a negative impression of artificial intelligence. Horvick indicated that public perception of data centers is often influenced by environmental and community concerns, including their demand for water and electricity, the noise they generate, and their large physical footprint.