Jason Kelce stars in viral ad satirizing data center water usage
Former NFL star Jason Kelce featured in a viral ad for Garage Beer and Liquid Death, satirizing the high water usage of AI data centers. The humorous ad sparked varied reactions while highlighting a contentious issue that recently led to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signing an executive order for local data center approval.
Former Eagles center Jason Kelce, co-founder of Garage Beer, starred in a viral ad for Garage Beer and Liquid Death that humorously suggested collecting urine to cool AI data centers. The campaign aimed to be "farcical" while commenting on the topical issue of data center environmental impact, specifically their substantial water consumption, according to Garage Beer CEO Andy Sauer.
The ad, featuring Kelce singing about collecting pee, was released amidst growing public concern over data center construction. A Quinnipiac University poll indicated that 76% of registered Pennsylvania voters would oppose a data center in their community. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed an executive order requiring local approval for data center construction before state permits can be issued, addressing these concerns.
The campaign also sold "Data Center Coolant Collectors" (glass jars), which quickly sold out. Reactions to the ad were mixed, with some celebrating its critique of data centers and others dismissing it as uninformed. Sauer noted the surprising seriousness of some responses to the obviously ridiculous premise, while Kelce also found the reactions amusing.