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As artificial intelligence (AI) companies race toward IPOs and scramble to construct data centers, a new Fox News Poll finds voters now view Big Tech — not Big Government — as the greater threat to the nation’s future, a striking turnaround from seven years ago.
By a 5 percentage-point margin, more see Big Tech as the greater threat to the outlook of the country rather than big government (52% vs. 47%). That’s a 28-point reversal since 2019 — three years before ChatGPT burst onto the scene — when more were concerned about the government (58%) than tech companies (35%).
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The swing toward a greater dread of Big Tech can be seen across most groups, with only a few exceptions, like very conservative voters (by 11 points) and moms (+8), who view big government as the bigger villain. Republicans and independents are split on which is worse.
“As AI integrates into daily life, voters are reevaluating where power resides,” says Democratic pollster Chris Anderson, whose firm Beacon Research conducts the poll with Republican Daron Shaw. “Concerns about government overreach are shifting toward tech companies, as voters question whether rapid growth has concentrated too much power in institutions largely outside of public accountability.”
Feelings on AI remain a mixed bag. Equal numbers describe it as either innovative or helpful or a bad idea (14% each). Another 12% are cautious, 10% say afraid or dangerous, 9% have mixed feelings, while excitement and curiosity/interested sit at 7% each. Fewer mention threats to jobs (5%), general confusion (4%), potential for abuse (3%), more research and privacy and regulation issues (2% each), fears of science fiction (1%), and preventing data centers (1%).
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The share saying they’re afraid of AI, or it is dangerous has dropped from 16% in 2023 to 10% today, as most demographics feel less negative about AI. The clear exception is voters ages 65 and up, who mostly still feel afraid, concerned, or just don’t like it.
There is also a modest rise in those who feel cautious or distrust the booming technology: from 8% in 2023 to 12% today.
On the flip side, the number saying they find AI to be innovative and helpful has doubled from 7% in 2023 to 14% today. While most demographics feel more positive toward AI compared to 2023, this tendency is especially pronounced among voters under age 30 and nonwhite voters, each seeing double-digit increases in positive sentiment.
Daily AI usage is on the rise: 18% of voters say they use the technology every day, up from 11% last June.
The increase mainly comes from more men (+10 points since June 2025) and independents (+13) saying they use AI daily. Despite their skepticism, voters 65 and over say they are using it more as well (+4). Daily usage for voters under 30 is up 8 points since last summer.
Still, many say they rarely (21%) or never (32%) use it, roughly the same as last summer.
Voters balk at building AI infrastructure in their backyard. Two-thirds (67%) oppose having data centers in their area, including 43% who strongly oppose it, while one-third favor it (32%).
Most groups oppose data centers, but the strength of opposition varies. Fewer than 6 in 10 men, Hispanic voters, voters under 30, and Republicans oppose them, while opposition increases to roughly 7 in 10 or more among women, White voters, those ages 65+, and Democrats.
Some of the only groups to favor data centers being built are those who find AI innovative (68% favor) and those who use AI at least weekly (54%).
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“AI data centers emerging as a political issue is one of the most intriguing storylines of 2026,” says Shaw. “Opposing them is a short-term win, but attitudes about AI efficacy and regulation remain fluid.”
Even with mixed views on AI, a large majority remain confident they control technology (79%), rather than tech controlling them (20%) — the same as nearly 30 years ago.
Women, voters ages 65+ and Republicans are slightly more likely to feel they have a grip on technology compared to men, those under 30, and Democrats.
Conducted June 12-15, 2026, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,002 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (101) and cellphones (644) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (257). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis, and voter file data.
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