Interdisciplinary panel discusses potential impact of Uich-Los Alamos data center

The Michigan Daily reported on a panel discussion at the Ford School of Public Policy, which explored the potential environmental, political, and community impacts of the University of Michigan's planned data center in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory. The University recently acquired land for this project along the Huron River in Ypsilanti Township. Chris Gilmer-Hill, policy manager of the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, stated his involvement in opposing data centers began when the Michigan Legislature granted significant tax exemptions in December 2025. He emphasized the power of local and state communities to resist such developments. Ben Green, an assistant professor, highlighted the unsustainability of a data center economy, arguing that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence is causing climate commitments to weaken, potentially leading to relaxed water use restrictions. Panelists and attendees discussed the multifaceted nature of the data center, linking it to financial speculation around AI, the University's relationship with Ypsilanti, and its connections to the military-industrial complex. A Rackham student, Shreya Chowdhary, underscored the takeaway that resistance is possible and must take multiple forms across various terrains.