What's that sound? It's Mount Pleasant's new AI data center

Residents in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, are voicing concerns over a persistent, high-pitched humming sound emanating from Microsoft's new $3.3 billion AI data center campus. The noise, which began earlier this month as the first of over 15 planned data centers approaches operational status, is reportedly invading homes and causing distress among those living nearby. Donald Briggs, a local resident, stated that while he and his neighbors are not opposed to the data center itself and tolerated construction noise, the new constant drone is a significant worry. He expressed apprehension that this particular noise, unlike temporary construction sounds, could become a permanent and potentially louder fixture once the facility is fully operational. In response to inquiries from 12 News, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed awareness of the noise concerns at their Mount Pleasant facility. The company stated it is actively investigating the root cause of the sound and anticipates providing an update to the community soon. Microsoft's website lists servers, vehicles, backup generators, and cooling equipment as potential sources of data center noise, though traffic and server noise were ruled out by Briggs and the news report respectively for this specific hum. Briggs emphasized that improved communication from Microsoft is crucial for resolving the issue. He noted difficulty in getting a response from the company directly after calling to complain, finding more success in reaching out to the local news station.