SEATTLE — (By Dale King, Realty News Report) – The concept of AI – “artificial intelligence” – is no longer a fantasy notion or Hollywood contrivance. Folks who haven’t viewed robotic individuals or android animals walking upright or on all-fours across in TV broadcasts from laboratories across the globe had best realize that devices once thought to be eons away are serving humanity and walking side by side with flesh and blood people right here – right now.
Artificial intelligence – defined as a set of technologies that empowers computers to learn, reason and perform a variety of advanced tasks in ways that used to require human intelligence, such as understanding language, analyzing data and even providing helpful suggestions – isn’t limited to robotics. But mechanical devices seem to capture the most attention.
Actually, much of society knows little about where these walking, talking, AI-powered personages come from. But a new report from Seattle-based real estate brokerage Redfin says nearly half of all Americans reject the prospect of living next door to an AI “data center” where these devices begin their electronic existence.
Redfin’s documentation says 47% of U.S. residents oppose the construction of an artificial intelligence data center in their neighborhood. On the other hand, 38% of folks surveyed – mainly from younger generations – support AI “factories,” says the survey commissioned by Redfin and fielded by Ipsos.
AI data centers are specialized, high-performance facilities designed specifically to train, deploy and run massive artificial intelligence models such as large language models (LLMs).
Unlike traditional data centers, they prioritize intense, parallel computing power—using thousands of GPUs – graphics processing units, a specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images, videos and 3D graphics. Data centers also require advanced liquid cooling systems and immense amounts of energy to handle the required high-density, 24/7 workloads.
These centers are considered the “factories” of the AI era, essential for developing technologies like ChatGPT, computer vision and autonomous systems. They provide the infrastructure necessary for faster data analytics, model training and real-time decision-making.
Driven by burgeoning demand, big tech companies are expected to invest more than $600 billion in 2026 for AI-related infrastructure, resulting in “mega” data centers in areas like Texas, Arizona and Tennessee.
In Texas, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller wants to put a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data center development to allow time to assess the long-term impacts on infrastructure, agricultural economy, and communities. He noted that many of the new data centers use enough electricity to power entire towns.
AI ‘factory’ surge frustrates
“A lot of local residents are frustrated about the surge in data centers in our community,” said Hazel Shakur, a Redfin Premier agent who sells homes mainly in Prince George’s County, Md. “There are already five data centers in our county, with another one planned at the site of what was once a popular mall. People are questioning whether county officials are trading long-term community vision and quality of life for projects that may not directly benefit the people who live here.”
Documentation says the U.S. already has more than 3,000 AI data centers, with thousands more in development as demand for the technology intensifies.
In the nation’s eight primary markets, net absorption reached 1,809.5 MW in 2024, up from 329.6 MW in 2020, according to a CBRE report.
Data centers are “controversial,” says Redfin’s report, “largely because they strain electricity and water resources, which increases energy costs, sparks environmental concerns and disrupts nearby communities with noise and large, industrial structures.”
“They also tap into broader fears about AI: Roughly three in five U.S. residents believe AI will eliminate jobs,” warns the Redfin survey.
But AI has positive aspects as well. Its centers can create well-paying jobs in fields like IT and security, support local construction employment and spur investment in energy and water infrastructure — potentially boosting struggling areas. AI also eliminates human error, makes decisions without bias and is available 24/7.
Younger Americans likely support data centers
Gen Z’ers (48%) and millennials (50%) are more likely than Gen Xers (38%) and baby boomers (22%) to support data centers in their neighborhoods.
According to other stats compiled by Ipsos, 39% of homeowners say they would not mind an AI facility in their vicinity. About a third of renters – 36% to be exact – said they would not find an AI data center in their community offensive.
Broken down by political preference, 49% of Republicans support the construction of an AI data center in their neighborhood compared with 36% of Democrats.
Of the total number of people surveyed, 38 percent find no problem with an AI facility in their area.
AI centers more scorned than apartment complexes
Still, the Redfin report says Americans are more inclined to oppose data centers in their neighborhoods than just about any type of multifamily or commercial structure, with the percentage varying depending on the type of project proposed.
As stated above, nearly half (47%) of U.S. residents oppose construction of a data center near their home. But statistics show that practically that same percentage of Americans (46%) also oppose converting single-family homes into smaller, multi-unit dwellings to increase the housing supply.
In addition, just over one-third (37%) of respondents oppose building a new apartment complex on vacant land in their neighborhood.
The survey says construction of new mixed-use developments that include both residential and commercial spaces in a homeowner’s neighborhood drew flak from 31% of respondents.
May 22, 2026, Realty News Report Copyright 2026
Image: Realty News Report Copyright 2026
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