Emerson/RCP poll: Pennsylvanians up on Shapiro, down on AI
Pennsylvanians have a positive opinion of Gov. Josh Shapiro and a negative view of artificial intelligence according to a recent poll of 2,000 residents.
The survey, conducted by Emerson College and sponsored by RealClear Pennsylvania, found that nearly half (49%) of respondents approve of Shapiro’s performance with just 22% disapproving for a plus-27 favorability mark. Three-quarters of Democrats (76%) give the former state Attorney General a thumbs-up, as do 37% of independents and 29% of Republicans.
Shapiro has broad popularity with plus-32 favorability marks among young (18-29) and old (70+), and marks north of 30 with men (+25) and women (+30). And as education attainment goes up, so do the cheif executive’s numbers – high school or less (+19), college degree (+34), post-graduate degree (+46). Even among Republicans, his number (-19) is strong despite being unsurprisingly underwater.
Artificial intelligence
Forty-eight percent of those surveyed think AI will have more of a negative impact on the economy with 46% agreeing that it will have a negative impact on the environment. More than half (55%) think advances in artificial intelligence will decrease the number of jobs available in the industry they are currently employed in.
Less than a quarter of respondents say AI will have a positive impact on the economy (25%), environment (21%), and job prospects (16%).
Pessimism is highest among those who work in finance, insurance, or real estate (64%). But 3-in-5 in professional/business services (60%) and the healthcare industry (59%) feel the same way.
It is also telling that 71% of respondents think artificial intelligence poses a “significant” or “moderate” threat to humanity.
Data centers
Getting the word out of AI data centers has been a challenge with just 16% of those surveyed saying they are very familiar with data centers and another 41% being somewhat familiar.
Forty-four percent indicated they were not sure if any data centers have recently been built or proposed in their area of the Keystone State. But IYKYK (if you know you know). Three-fifths of the “very familiar” audience is also aware a data center has been built or proposed in their area.
More than a third (38%) of Pennsylvanians support data centers being built in the Commonwealth with one-quarter (27%) neutral or with no opinion. Not surprisingly, respondents would rather not have a data center in their backyard (NIMBY) with 42% in opposition, compared to 34% in support. There is also a gender difference, as nearly half of the men surveyed (48%) support the building of AI data centers, while only 3-in-10 (29%) of women agreed.
Perceived impact of data centers on key areas
Seventy-one percent are concerned (34% very, 37% somewhat) about the amount of electricity data centers use. Thirty-one percent agree with the statement, “Pennsylvania’s electrical grid is capable of supporting the energy demand from new data centers,” while 33% disagree and 37% are neutral.
Residents were asked if data centers being built in Pennsylvania will have a positive or negative impact on a series of areas.
- Jobs: 45% positive, 19% negative, 14% no impact, 22% unsure
- Economy: 38% positive, 24% negative, 13% no impact, 24% unsure
- Quality of life: 22% positive, 32% negative, 23% no impact, 23% unsure
- Environment: 18% positive, 44% negative, 17% no impact, 21% unsure
- Cost of living: 17% positive, 43% negative, 17% no impact, 23% unsure
A majority of Pennsylvanians (61%) think it is very (17%) or somewhat (44%) likely that data centers will create a significant number of new jobs in Pennsylvania, while 39% think it is not too likely (30%) or not at all likely (9%).
Job approval
In addition to queries on Shapiro, respondents were also asked about their opinions of Pennsylvania’s senators – John Fetterman and Dave McCormick.
- Fetterman | 39% approve, 33% disapprove | +6 favorability rating
- Party approval: GOP 57%, Democrats 31%, Independents 30%
- McCormick | 34% approve, 28% disapprove | +6 favorability rating
- Party approval: GOP 58%, Democrats 19%, Independents 23%
Fetterman’s job approval is highest among those 60 and older and weakest (-4) among the 30-39 crowd. He is a net positive with both men and women.
And Republicans love the former state lieutenant governor with a plus-32 favorability mark (57-25%). Democrats, well, let’s say not as much at minus-17 (31-48%). Independents are fairly split (29-30%).
But the educational attainment gap is wide. Among voters with a high school degree, he is a plus-14 (39-25%). For college graduates, however, he is slightly upside-down, 39%-40%, well within error margin territory. Among those with a postgraduate or advanced degree? He’s underwater by 20 points (33-53%).
McCormick’s numbers are above water but no spectacular in any way. His strongest support comes from those 18-29 with a plus-17, while those above 70 give him a plus-12. Males (+11) and females (+2) have him above the cut line, but those with a post-graduate degree give him failing marks at minus-18 (32-50%). More concerning following his 2024 election victory over Bob Casey is the fact that 3-in-10 respondents are neutral or have no opinion about McCormick’s performance, despite his heavy involvement in the summer AI Summit at Carnegie Mellon.
The Real Clear Pennsylvania survey was conducted November 19-23, 2025. The sample of Pennsylvania adults, n=2000, has a credibility interval, similar to a poll’s margin of error (MOE), of +/- 2 percentage points. The data sets were weighted by gender, education, race, and age based on US Census parameters. Data was collected by contacting cellphones via MMS-to-web text and an online panel of voters provided by CINT. Panel responses were matched to the voter file.
Steve Ulrich is managing editor of Politics PA.
