BUSINESS REFLECTION: Crossed Wires: The data centres are not the problem — it’s the tenants
Data-centre backlash is spreading across the US, yet local bans are unlikely to halt AI’s expansion or curb Big Tech’s growing power.
In recent U.S. midterm elections, 40 out of 41 local ballot measures aimed at regulating data-centre development were approved, according to Ballotpedia. This overwhelming verdict has raised questions about the resistance to data-centres, as local bans are unlikely to stop AI's expansion or curb Big Tech's growing influence. Despite the backlash against data-centres, the expansion of AI infrastructure continues unabated.
In 2023, before the rise of consumer AI, there were over 5,000 data centres worldwide, with nearly 1,000 of them being large-scale "hyperscale" facilities owned by major tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.
The data-centre resistance movement has gained traction politically, but it seems to stem from a feeling of unease about the concentration of power among a few key players, rather than the data-centres themselves. The shift in public opinion towards disapproving of data-centres appears to be driven by concerns about a handful of influential individuals, such as Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Larry Ellison, and Jeff Karp, who wield significant influence over the future of technology.
While local bans may provide a sense of relief for some, they are unlikely to have a substantial impact on the growth of AI infrastructure in the long run.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
