Most likely U.S. voters don't want massive data centers built in their communities, according to a new Rasmussen Reports poll, even as President Donald Trump pushes to accelerate artificial intelligence development and expand the infrastructure needed to keep the United States ahead of China in the global AI race.

Trump has made AI a key priority of his second administration, signing executive orders aimed at speeding permits for data centers and other AI infrastructure while promoting U.S. leadership in the fast-growing technology.

The White House has argued the effort is critical to national security, economic growth, and maintaining the United States' competitive edge.

The survey found that 52% of likely voters would oppose a proposal to build a data center in their community, including 35% who said they would strongly oppose it. Just 39% said they would support such a project, with only 15% saying they would strongly support it.

The poll also found voters are generally resistant to Washington taking control of the issue.

A majority, 51%, said decisions about data center construction should be left to state and local governments, while 37% said Congress should pass legislation regulating data center construction nationwide. Twelve percent were undecided.

The findings come as demand for data centers continues to surge amid rapid growth in AI technology. Environmental activists have warned about the facilities' enormous electricity and water consumption, while supporters argue they are essential to powering the next generation of AI and preserving America's technological dominance.

Republicans were the most receptive to hosting a data center, with 48% saying they would support one in their community. Support dropped to 36% among Democrats and 32% among independent voters.

Even so, opposition outweighed support across the political spectrum. Fifty-five percent of Democrats opposed a local data center, along with 59% of independents and 44% of Republicans.

The survey also found ideological differences regarding federal involvement. Half of self-identified liberals favored congressional regulation of data center construction, while majorities of conservatives (56%) and moderates (55%) said the issue should remain with state and local governments.

Men were more likely than women to support building a data center in their community, 44% to 34%, and also expressed greater support for congressional regulation.

Voters aged 50 and older were the most likely to oppose local data center construction, while those younger than 30 were the most likely to support federal legislation governing the industry.

Among racial groups, 57% of white voters opposed having a data center built in their community, compared with 40% of Black voters, 38% of Hispanic voters, and 60% of other minority voters. Black voters were the demographic group most likely to support congressional regulation.

Retirees were among the strongest opponents, with 59% opposing local data center construction, compared with 55% of private-sector workers and 49% of government employees.

The poll was conducted June 21-23 and surveyed 1,129 likely U.S. voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.