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Marquette Law School's latest polls find distrust of data center developments and the artificial intelligence they fuel crosses political, age and economic lines.
A recent national survey conducted by Marquette University Law School has brought to light profound skepticism across a broad spectrum of demographics concerning both the proliferation of data centers and the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. The poll, which gathered responses between April 8-16, indicated that a significant majority of individuals—spanning Republicans, Democrats, independents, men, women, and various age and income brackets—are of the opinion that the inherent costs associated with data center developments ultimately outweigh their perceived benefits. This nationwide sentiment notably aligns with similar findings from an earlier poll specifically conducted among Wisconsin voters, underscoring a consistent pattern of public apprehension towards these technological trends.
Charles Franklin, the esteemed director of the Marquette Law School poll, emphasized the remarkable bipartisan consensus observed in the public’s skepticism regarding artificial intelligence, a phenomenon he described as notably distinct from typical partisan divisions. A substantial 70% of respondents in the national survey expressed that artificial intelligence is, on the whole, a detrimental force for society. This overwhelming negative perception highlights a deep-seated and widespread public distrust in AI, indicating that concerns about its implications transcend traditional political and demographic divides, and warrant further attention and discussion.
The findings of this extensive survey are particularly timely, emerging amidst increasing public resistance to numerous data center projects underway across Wisconsin. Several proposed developments, notably in localities such as DeForest and Menomonie, have encountered significant community opposition, leading to their cancellation or indefinite postponement. This direct public backlash against tangible technology infrastructure projects serves as a real-world manifestation of the broad societal concerns and widespread skepticism about data centers that were clearly articulated in Marquette's recent polls.
In addition to its primary focus on technology, the Marquette poll also delved into several other critical national issues, including the economic impact of tariffs. The survey revealed that a notable 66% of Americans concurred with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that effectively overturned former President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs under the International Emergency Powers Act. This level of approval surpasses the 59% recorded in a preceding Wisconsin poll from March. Overall, consistently, around 55-60% of respondents in both state and national surveys have expressed the view that tariffs negatively affect the economy, while only approximately 25% believe they are beneficial.
Despite the public's agreement with a specific Supreme Court ruling regarding tariffs, the broader sentiment towards the nation’s highest court indicates a continued trend of disapproval. The latest national survey data reports that 57% of Americans disapprove of the way Supreme Court justices are performing their duties. This negative perception is not an isolated incident; Marquette’s consistent polling has not registered a majority approval for the Supreme Court's actions in any of its more than two dozen surveys conducted since 2021, signifying a prolonged period of declining public confidence in the institution's overall performance.
A groundbreaking question introduced in this Supreme Court poll probed Americans' views on their country's role in global stability, yielding what poll director Charles Franklin termed a 'stunning' revelation. A substantial 60% of respondents perceived the United States as a global force of instability. While direct historical comparative data for this specific question is currently unavailable, Franklin inferred that this sentiment likely marks a significant departure from earlier decades, when a large majority would have probably viewed the U.S. as a stabilizing influence in the post-World War II international order. This finding underscores a critical shift in the self-perception of America's global role.