AxInsights Survey: Americans Are Open to Innovation, But Want Guardrails
AxAdvocacy–Ipsos Survey Highlights Public Views on AI, Data Centers, Corporate Mergers, and Domestic Manufacturing
AxAdvocacy recently partnered with Ipsos to conduct a national survey of 1,025 Americans from February 20–22, 2026, examining public attitudes toward emerging technology, corporate consolidation, and U.S. economic and national security policy. The survey carries a ±3.2% margin of error.
The results point to a pragmatic electorate. Americans remain open to innovation and economic growth, but they want guardrails that protect communities, jobs, and national security. Across several issue areas, from artificial intelligence to corporate mergers, voters consistently evaluate policy through the lens of economic impact and national resilience.
Key takeaway: Americans support innovation, but economic impact and community effects shape their views.
Data Centers: Awareness Is Growing, but Energy Concerns Dominate
As artificial intelligence expands rapidly, public awareness of the data centers required to support it is increasing.
According to the survey, 61% of Americans say they are familiar with data centers, including 21% who report being very familiar and 40% who say they are somewhat familiar. Another 37% report they are not familiar with the issue.
While awareness is relatively high, voters also express clear concerns about the local impacts associated with large-scale data center development.
- 58% worry about strain on local infrastructure
- 58% worry about increased local energy prices
- 38% cite noise or land-use concerns
- 38% worry about environmental impacts
- 35% express concern about foreign ownership of data centers
Only eight percent (8%) of respondents say they would have no concerns about data centers being built in their communities.
Artificial Intelligence: Opportunity Tempered by Skepticism
Public attitudes toward artificial intelligence reflect a mixture of optimism and caution.
Just 13% of Americans view AI primarily as an opportunity, while 34% see it mainly as a risk. The largest share (42%) believe that AI represents both opportunity and risk equally.
- 39% say an AI regulatory 'sandbox' is a good idea
- 22% say it is a bad idea
- 37% are unsure
When voters are asked to choose between prioritizing innovation or limiting risk:
- 69% say AI should be regulated early to limit risks
- 12% say innovation should be prioritized even if risks remain
- 17% remain unsure
When asked who should lead the regulation of artificial intelligence:
- 50% say federal and state governments
- 18% say the private sector
- 30% are unsure
69% of Americans say AI should be regulated early to limit risks.
Corporate Mergers: Jobs and Prices Drive Public Opinion
Public attitudes toward corporate mergers are strongly influenced by perceived economic consequences.
When asked which factor matters most when evaluating corporate mergers:
- 33% cite impact on jobs
- 29% cite impact on prices
- 8% cite global competitiveness
- 6% cite national security
- 5% cite stock prices and shareholder value
These results suggest voters evaluate corporate consolidation primarily through the lens of household economics rather than investor outcomes.
A majority of respondents (53%) believe mergers involving critical infrastructure should face stricter regulatory review than mergers in other industries.
Domestic Manufacturing and National Security
The survey also finds overwhelming support for strengthening domestic industrial capacity.
When asked how important it is for the United States to manufacture critical materials domestically:
- 55% say it is very important
- 33% say it is somewhat important
In total, almost nine in ten Americans (89%) believe domestic manufacturing of critical materials is important.
Implications for Public Affairs
Across the issues examined in the survey, one theme emerges consistently: Americans approach policy debates with a pragmatic focus on economic and national security outcomes.
Voters are broadly supportive of innovation and technological progress, but they also expect safeguards that protect communities, strengthen domestic production, and prevent negative impacts on jobs and prices.
For organizations engaged in public policy debates, the findings reinforce the importance of framing policy discussions around economic impact, national competitiveness, and community outcomes.
The Ipsos survey offers a snapshot of the priorities likely to shape policy conversations in Washington and across the country in the years ahead.
Ashlee Stephenson
President
