More on Pushback against AI Data Center build out

If current buzz in the media about pushback against AI Data Centers is any indication, the Big Tech AI leaders, innovators, investors, and corporations have all dropped the ball on PR for what the benefit is of AI Data Centers being built around the country.

They’ve also been guilty of not knowing how to, or ignoring the need to, design the data centers to minimize local impacts on electric bills, and water usage. This has signs of developing into a real hurdle for AI development and consequent benefits to the US economy. Or worse.

Anthropic spent large advertising dollars for commercials supporting AI development and usefulness that were played during the national broadcast and streaming broadcast of the MLB All Star Game in Philadelphia recently. It seems like a huge campaign along these lines is way overdue, as we head towards the midterm elections in the US with AI Pushback bidding to become a top issue for both parties candidates.

Since zoning and permitting decisions are typically made at the local level in the U.S., she said, “20 grumpy neighbors” can quash homes or data centers near them even if the new construction could benefit many others.

With new housing, though, “we like it in the aggregate but we don’t want it near us,” Epstein said. “The public opinion about data centers is different: We don’t want them anywhere.”