Overcoming the bad vibes around data centers is a battle on multiple fronts

Data center projects are facing increasing opposition from local communities.

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In a country that doesn't tend to agree on anything, Americans are aligning on something: no data centers in their backyards.

For all the growing anti-AI sentiment, the tech still has plenty of fans.

The infrastructure powering it is a different story, though.

A Gallup survey earlier this year found that 70% of Americans don't want data centers built where they live . (If you would welcome a data center in your neighborhood, we'd legitimately love to hear from you.

Drop me a line .) Supporters of the tech are now reckoning with a population that's pushing back against a key piece of their AI plans.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump told reporters data centers " could use a little public relations help ." He remains supportive, adding that "if I were a governor or a mayor, I would want that plant in my community." Yesterday, venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya chimed in, calling data-center backlash a " powder keg " that AI executives have "failed miserably" at addressing.

Overcoming the bad vibes around data centers is a battle on multiple fronts.

The immediate response from some AI giants has been to throw money at the problem.

Meta recently announced a plan to invest $1 billion in towns where it's building data centers.

It already deployed a similar strategy in Louisiana, where teachers got a one-time bonus of up to $50,000 because of a Meta data center.

Cash is a great way to get people on your side.