New UNH study: two-thirds of Granite Staters say AI will make country worse

A new study from the University of New Hampshire reveals that nearly two-thirds of New Hampshire residents, often referred to as "Granite Staters," anticipate artificial intelligence will have a detrimental effect on the United States over the next decade. The study indicated that younger demographics (18-34) expressed particular pessimism, while those aged 65 and older held more positive views.

Furthermore, the study highlighted strong public opposition to AI data center development within the state, with 45 percent of respondents specifically opposing continued plans for such facilities. This public sentiment aligns with a recent development in Nottingham, where a proposed data center project was withdrawn following significant public outcry. Carl Staley, the Planning Board chair of Peterborough, acknowledged that AI data centers have been a subject of discussion for his board. He expressed doubts about New Hampshire's capacity to host such facilities, citing specific concerns about water consumption, land use, and noise, identifying these as "non-starters" for a data center, particularly in places like Portsmouth. The survey also revealed widespread concern about AI's potential impact on the job market, with only 8 percent believing it would create more jobs over the next decade.