Who's Going to Pay for the AI Boom? Older Americans Push Back on AI Utility Costs

As artificial intelligence continues to grow, so does the infrastructure behind it, including large data centers that require massive amounts of electricity and water to operate. These facilities are expanding quickly across the U.S. to meet rising demand, and in some areas, they’re already driving up utility costs for consumers. While data centers play a vital role in powering today’s digital economy, their energy needs can strain local power grids and trigger costly upgrades, costs that may ultimately be passed on to everyday ratepayers.   

To gauge their opinions on the cost of their electricity and who they feel should pay for any costs associated with electric usage by large data centers, AARP conducted a survey among 1,001 older Americans in September 2025. Most do not think they should have to pay for the costs of operating, maintaining or building new large data centers. In fact, 78% percent believe large data centers should bear those costs, and nearly three-quarters (75%) agree that state policymakers should protect consumers from rising costs due to these centers.  Considering that most (79%) Americans 50 and older have experienced an increase in their electric bills over the past year, AARP will continue to work with policymakers and community-based organizations to keep electricity affordable for consumers in light of the economic impact of AI growth. 

For more information, please contact Jennifer Sauer at jsauer@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.