Google faces backlash against India data centre
Visakhapatnam, INDIA: Handcuffs encircle Google's logo on one campaign poster, while another warns that people "cannot drink data", as opposition mounts to the tech giant's planned artificial intelligence (AI) mega-facility in India.
Visakhapatnam, India - Protestors are voicing concerns over Google's planned artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in the southeastern Indian port city of Vizag. The $15 billion construction project, championed by India as a cornerstone of its technological ambitions, has sparked backlash due to fears of strained water and power resources, environmental damage, and insufficient job creation.
Farmer Chandala Sadamma, who lost her two-acre plot of mango and cashew trees to the project, expressed her sorrow, saying, "I feel like crying." Google's head of infrastructure and energy for Asia-Pacific, Alexander Smith, stated that the company will use advanced air cooling technology to minimize water usage. However, critics argue that the economic benefits may not be evenly distributed.
Andhra Pradesh's government plans to build new housing and provide jobs for those affected by the land acquisition. Yet, opposition groups demand a moratorium on new data centres until independent environmental and social impact assessments are conducted.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Google faces backlash against Indian data centre freemalaysiatoday.com
