Figure 1: A Significant Percentage of Americans Have Not Heard about Data Centers, or Know Little About Them (2026)

The following question was asked to survey respondents: "How much have you heard or read about data centers? By data centers, we mean buildings filled with computer equipment that powers streaming services, artificial intelligence (AI), online banking, and other things."

Note: Pew provides the following information regarding the public opinion poll: "Data in this report comes from Wave 185 of the American Trends Panel (ATP) ... The survey was conducted from Jan. 20 to 26, 2026. A total of 8,512 panelists responded out of 9,302 who were sampled, for a survey-level response rate of 92%. The cumulative response rate accounting for all stages of nonresponse and attrition is 3%. The break-off rate among panelists who logged on to the survey and completed at least one item is 2%. The margin of sampling error for the full sample of 8,512 respondents is plus or minus 1.4 percentage points."

Figure last checked/updated on July 27, 2026.
Source: Pew Research Center, 2026.