Why every AI question you ask relies on a data center, according to Triad professor
The Greensboro City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data centers to study their potential impacts. A UNCG professor explains that increasing AI usage drives demand for data centers, raising concerns about electricity and water consumption. Local data center growth could occur rapidly without restrictions.
The Greensboro City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data center development to allow time for studying their potential impacts. This decision comes amidst growing controversy surrounding data centers, particularly regarding their significant demands on electricity and water resources.
UNCG Professor Nir Shetri explained that every artificial intelligence (AI) query relies on data centers for processing, and as AI technology advances and its use becomes more widespread, the demand for these centers will surge. More complex AI requests require substantially more processing power, leading to higher electricity and water consumption for cooling equipment.
Shetri anticipates that local data center growth could happen much sooner than expected, possibly within one to two years, especially given factors like cheaper land and manpower in the region, provided there are no constraints or restrictions. Local leaders are currently evaluating the impacts of data centers on water, power, land, and surrounding neighborhoods during the six-month pause.