Pennsylvanians have a positive opinion Governor Josh Shapiro and a negative opinion about artificial intelligence – according to a recent survey conducted among 2,000 residents.
Questionnaire, hosted by Emerson College and sponsored by RealClear Pennsylvaniafound that nearly half (49%) of respondents approved of Shapiro’s actions, while just 22% disapproved of the plus-27 rating. Three-quarters of Democrats (76%) approve of the former attorney general, as do 37% of independents and 29% of Republicans.
Shapiro is highly popular with plus-32 favorability ratings among newborn (18-29) and older (70+) and ratings north of 30 among men (+25) and women (+30). And as education levels enhance, so does the number of CEOs – high school or less (+19), college degree (+34), postgraduate degree (+46). Even among Republicans, his number (-19) is high, even though it was no surprise that he is underwater.
Artificial intelligence
Forty-eight percent of respondents believe that artificial intelligence will have a more negative impact on the economy, and 46% agree that it will have a negative impact on the environment. More than half (55%) believe that advances in artificial intelligence will reduce the number of jobs available in the industry in which they are currently employed.
Less than a quarter of respondents say AI will have a positive impact on the economy (25%), the environment (21%) and job prospects (16%).
The highest pessimism is among people working in finance, insurance and real estate (64%). However, 3 in 5 people in the professional/business services industry (60%) and healthcare industry (59%) feel the same.
It is also significant that 71% of respondents believe that artificial intelligence poses a “significant” or “moderate” threat to humanity.
Data centers
Spreading information about AI-powered data centers has been a challenge, with only 16% of respondents saying they knew data centers very well, and another 41% saying they were somewhat familiar.
Forty-four percent said they were unsure whether any data centers had recently been built or planned in their area of the Keystone State. But IYKYK (if you know you know). Three-fifths of “very familiar” audiences are also aware that a data center has been built or proposed in their area.
More than a third (38%) of Pennsylvanians support building data centers in the Commonwealth, while a quarter (27%) are neutral or have no opinion. Not surprisingly, respondents would prefer not to have a data center in their backyard (NIMBY) – 42% oppose compared to 34% support. There is also a gender gap, as almost half of men surveyed (48%) support the construction of AI data centers, while only 3 in 10 (29%) women agreed.
Perceived impact of data centers in key areas
Seventy-one percent are concerned (34% very, 37% somewhat) about the amount of energy data centers employ. Thirty-one percent agree with the statement, “Pennsylvania’s electric grid is capable of meeting the energy needs of new data centers,” 33% disagree and 37% are neutral.
Residents were asked whether data centers being built in Pennsylvania would have a positive or negative impact on a number of areas.
- Work: 45% positive, 19% negative, 14% no influence, 22% unsure
- Economy: 38% positive, 24% negative, 13% no influence, 24% unsure
- Quality of life: 22% positive, 32% negative, 23% no influence, 23% unsure
- Environment: 18% positive, 44% negative, 17% no influence, 21% unsure
- Maintenance cost: 17% positive, 43% negative, 17% no influence, 23% unsure
A majority of Pennsylvanians (61%) believe it is very (17%) or somewhat likely (44%) that data centers will create a significant number of recent jobs in Pennsylvania, while 39% think it is unlikely (30%) or not at all likely (9%).
Approval of work
In addition to questions about Shapiro, respondents were also asked about their opinion of Pennsylvania senators – John Fetterman AND Dave McCormick.
- Fetterman | 39% support, 33% disapprove | Favorability Rating +6
- Party Approval: GOP 57%, Democrats 31%, Independent 30%
- McCormick | 34% support, 28% disapprove | Favorability Rating +6
- Party Approval: GOP 58%, Democrats 19%, Independent 23%
The highest approval of Fetterman’s job is among people aged 60 and older, and the lowest (-4) among people aged 30–39. He has a positive attitude towards both men and women.
And Republicans love the state’s former lieutenant governor with a plus-32 favorability rating (57-25%). Democrats, well let’s say not so much at minus-17 (31-48%). Independents are quite split (29-30%).
However, the difference in education level is immense. Among voters with secondary education, the result is plus 14 (39-25%). However, for college graduates it is somewhat turned upside down at 39-40%, which is within the margin of error. Among people with postgraduate or higher education? It is underwater by 20 points (33-53%).
McCormick’s numbers are above water, but not spectacular by any means. His greatest support comes from people aged 18-29 with a plus of -17, while people over 70 give him a plus of -12. Men (+11) and women (+2) have it above the cut line, but those with a postgraduate degree give it failing grades of minus-18 (32-50%). Learn more about his 2024 election victory Bob Casey is the fact that 3 in 10 respondents are neutral or have no opinion on McCormick’s performance, despite his bulky involvement in the AI summer summit at Carnegie Mellon.
The Real Clear Pennsylvania survey was conducted November 19-23, 2025. The Pennsylvania adult sample, n=2,000, has a credibility interval similar to the poll’s margin of error (MOE) of +/- 2 percentage points. Data sets were weighted by gender, education, race, and age based on US Census parameters. Data were collected by contacting mobile phones via MMS messages sent to the Internet and using an online voter panel provided by CINT. The panel’s responses were matched to the voter’s records.
