North America data center demand reached an all-time high in the first half of 2026, with 25 gigawatts of absorption, double the level from a year ago and five times that of two years prior. JLL’s North America Data Center Report – Midyear 2026 says that although structural demand continues to accelerate, responsible growth now depends on building trust through transparency and early community engagement around electricity, water and noise impacts.
Seventy-nine percent of Americans support U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence, while only 14% support data center development in their communities. The 65-point support gap threatens to constrain the infrastructure buildout required to maintain AI competitiveness, the report states.
“We’re witnessing demand levels that continue to exceed even industry insiders’ expectations,” said Andy Cvengros, executive managing director, co-lead of U.S. Data Center Markets, JLL. “The market absorbed 25 gigawatts in just six months, driven by hyperscalers, neoclouds and pure-play AI companies competing aggressively for scarce capacity. But the real story is how community acceptance, or lack thereof, has emerged as the defining challenge for this next phase of growth. The industry and communities need to come together to find a path forward that benefits everyone.”
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