Opinion: Columnist argues against data center expansion, citing environmental and societal concerns
An SFGATE columnist argues against data center expansion, citing environmental concerns, high power and water consumption, and the perceived negative societal impact of AI. The article highlights growing public and political opposition, including a moratorium in New York and protests in California, as well as a lobbying effort by the tech industry to counter this sentiment.
SFGATE columnist Drew Magary criticizes the rapid expansion of data centers across the U.S., framing it as a "hater's guide" to the industry. He specifically points to a Virginia Connects lobbying ad, which he argues is a belated effort by the tech industry to combat growing public distaste for data centers.
Magary highlights widespread opposition, noting that even Republicans, with the exception of Donald Trump, are increasingly imposing bans on data center construction in states like California, Georgia, and Virginia. He quotes a social media rant from Trump, who supports data centers as "tremendous WINS" and urges New York to lift its recently imposed moratorium on their construction.
The author argues that data centers, while superficially benign, are primarily being built to support the AI ecosystem, which he believes is designed to isolate humans. He cites high power consumption, projecting that data centers could use a fifth of the nation's power and quadruple water usage within years, leading to higher utility bills. Magary also questions the financial viability of this expansion, citing reports that major tech firms are using complex financial engineering for a $3 trillion AI infrastructure build-out while companies like OpenAI are projected to burn through nearly a trillion dollars with no clear path to profitability, suggesting a potential future bailout by taxpayers.
Magary concludes by calling data centers the "physical embodiment of the AI sector's grotesque avariciousness" and urges vigilance against the tech industry's unchecked growth, which he fears will deplete public resources.