Nearly eight out of 10 registered Latino voters in the United States consider greater oversight of artificial intelligence to be urgent and stricter rules on where data centers can be built, according to a national survey by the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA).
The support includes majorities among Democrats, Republicans, and independents. The results also reveal concerns about the potential impact of these technologies on employment, electricity bills, and local water supplies.
“There is a lot of room for these different actors to gain the trust of our Latino communities on this issue,” said Roberta Braga, founder and executive director of the DDIA, during the presentation on October 22.
The survey, conducted in collaboration with YouGov, included 1,500 registered Latino voters in the United States.
Concern about electricity and water
74% of respondents expressed concern that data centers will raise electricity bills, while 68% agreed that these facilities put too much pressure on local water supplies.
“People’s concerns are closely linked to practical, everyday things that affect their lives, such as bills and local water supplies“Braga noted.
The responses reflect the participants’ perceptions. The survey does not measure the effects of specific projects on electricity rates or water consumption, nor does it present results specific to North Carolina.
Fifty-one percent said they would oppose the construction of a data center in their area, compared to 23% who would support it. Furthermore, 70% believed that such a facility in their community would affect their lives to some degree.
Concerns outweighed recognition of potential benefits: 40% agreed that data centers generate good jobs and investment in the communities where they are built.
