US rural residents worry about AI data center expansion

Rural areas in the US are becoming key spots for building AI data centers. A Pew Research report shows 67% of planned data centers will be in rural areas, while 87% of existing ones are in cities. These new centers are built for AI computing and are much bigger than before.

A survey by Gardner Food and Agriculture Policy found rural residents worry most about higher electricity bills, farmland use, and water consumption. Researchers say the main concern is personal financial burden. Some communities benefit from tax income from data centers, but locals don't want to risk long-term harm.

The US government supports AI infrastructure expansion, making it easier for projects like Stargate. This $500 billion plan aims to build large AI data centers across the US, many in rural areas.