Meet the Gen Zers fighting back against AI data centers—70% of young adults don’t want one in their town

Elijah Lee has spent years hearing Virginia lawmakers discuss data centers. Now, at 18, he says he is done listening.

Lee’s stance places him among young people pushing back against the expansion of AI data centers. The debate reflects growing concern among members of Gen Z about whether such facilities belong in their communities.

A generational challenge

The account of Lee’s opposition comes as reported polling shows that 70% of young adults do not want a data center in their town. The figure points to a significant divide between support for data infrastructure and the views of younger residents who may be directly affected by local decisions.

For Lee, the issue is also political. He has listened to Virginia lawmakers discuss data centers for years, but his position has shifted from observation to opposition.

Why the debate matters

Data centers have become a subject of public discussion in Virginia, while young residents are increasingly making their views known. Lee’s age and long exposure to the debate highlight how the issue has reached a new generation.

The available account does not identify the specific proposals Lee opposes or outline what action he plans to take. It does, however, show that resistance to data centers is no longer limited to established political voices.