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The US market may be one of the most advanced but policymakers face knowledge gaps, regional disparity and growing scepticism about the benefits and risks of AI and associated infrastructure. We’re seeing the EU take a firmer regulatory approach, while in Ireland, early growth in data centres has sharpened concerns about the public shouldering the costs of power and water use. Will the UK’s broad political consensus on the investment and growth potential in data centres hold if local concerns can’t be managed by clear environmental guardrails, and skills pathways aren’t realised?  

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I recently hosted a roundtable with businesses across big tech, energy, data centre development and fintech to explore these trends and their implications for the UK. Here are my three key takeaways for businesses.

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1 – Coalition building is the key to establishing trust  

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A consistent theme during the discussion was the need for businesses to move beyond company-led messaging and towards a cross-industry narrative on the role of data centres and AI. Individual corporate voices can be effective but are unlikely to build sustained credibility at scale.

There is a growing opportunity for data centre developers, energy providers, universities, healthcare bodies and others to tell a shared story about societal benefits. Trusted intermediaries are key to telling an authentic story, especially those able to translate benefits into outcomes people recognise and value – improved outcomes in health and education, for example.

Without a broader, more credible set of advocates, businesses risk losing public support for AI and data centre expansion as scrutiny grows.

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2 – Winning the fairness challenge

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There is broad political consensus on the economic value of data centres, but the distribution of benefits still lacks cut-through. Our discussion highlighted a growing gap between national benefits - investment, tax revenue and growth - and local impacts around energy, land use and infrastructure.

‍This imbalance is starting to fuel opposition, with communities questioning whether they receive a fair return for hosting critical infrastructure. Businesses therefore need to demonstrate tangible local value through clearer commitments on jobs and skills, proactive community engagement, and communications on how the economic returns of data centres will be felt.

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3 – The “persuadable middle” within UK attitudes

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Lexington commissioned polling shows that UK public attitudes towards data centres remain fluid. While awareness of their role in supporting growth and enabling AI is rising, understanding of how they operate - and crucially, who should pay for them - remains limited.

This has created a “persuadable middle”: a constituency of people that could be reassured by clearer communication but could equally move towards opposition if concerns are not addressed.

Clearer information and stronger narratives on efficiency, sustainability and real-world benefits could bring them on side; without this, concerns around energy use, and infrastructure and local impacts may push them towards scepticism.

For businesses, this makes proactive communication essential. It should be focused not just on the technology, but on the outcomes it enables. Winning this middle ground will be key to shaping future policy and planning debates.

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At Lexington, we help businesses make their messages on data centres, AI and innovation heard by the right political audiences. To discuss how we can support you, please contact jack.ford@lexcomm.co.uk

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