What the US Movement Against Data Centers Can Learn From Abroad
Paris Marx, author of Hyperscale, has been tracking global data center development for years. The US has a lot to learn from what’s happened everywhere from Ireland to New Zealand.
Paris Marx, author of the book "Data Centers and the Fight for the Future," discussed his work on the global struggle surrounding data centers. He noted that the surge in data center construction has been seen in various countries, including Ireland, Chile, and New Zealand, long before it became a pressing issue in the United States.
Marx highlighted the role of data centers in shaping US elections and potential impacts if the AI bubble were to burst. He shared examples of opposition in Ireland, where the energy grid operator urged against building more data centers, leading to private companies lobbying for legislation to allow them to build their own electricity cables.
The author also mentioned the potential for gas power plants to be built alongside data centers, posing environmental concerns. In New Zealand, a community-led effort demonstrated an alternative approach by creating a locally tailored speech-recognition model for the Māori language using cloud providers within the country. Marx emphasized the need for stronger regulations on data centers and AI products to prevent excess build-out and address potential harms.
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