{
  "id": 4809867,
  "title": "'I regret the tone': Top tech investor clarifies data centre remarks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/i-regret-the-tone-top-tech-investor-clarifies-data-centre-remarks",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-01T06:49:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/top-tech-investor-gavin-baker-regrets-his-comments-on-data-centres-says-what-i-should-have-said-is-there-are-reasonable-concerns-and-/articleshow/133671391.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tech investor Gavin Baker has apologized for the tone of his previous remarks criticizing data centers. In a recent post, Baker expressed regret for dismissing opposition to data centers as unqualified, stating that he now acknowledges reasonable concerns about issues such as water usage, taxes, job creation, electricity prices, environmental impact, and effects on small towns. Baker clarified that well-structured data center projects have since addressed these concerns and that the industry's overall record now deserves praise. He outlined how newer data centers use less water than golf courses, pay significant property taxes, create jobs for various skilled trades, and utilize cleaner energy sources like natural gas and renewable energy. Baker emphasized that data centers are revitalizing small towns across America, boosting the economy and providing durable working-class jobs. He concluded by stating that future projects should prioritize aesthetics, suggesting that data centers be designed as beautifully as iconic landmarks like Grand Central Station.",
  "summary": "Tech investor Gavin Baker has changed his stance on data centers, now recognizing the valid concerns that were present around eighteen months ago. However, with well-structured projects resolving many of these issues, data centers are now contributing positively to local economies, especially benefiting blue-collar workers in small towns. He suggests that criticism towards data centers may no…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}