John Patten: Don’t let Indiana’s data center boom outrun accountability
The opinion article argues that Indiana should not allow rapid data center growth to proceed without stronger accountability. It raises concerns about the effects of new facilities on land, water resources and the electrical system, while acknowledging the usefulness of artificial intelligence.
John Patten argues that Indiana’s data center expansion should be subject to greater public accountability. The commentary says the benefits of artificial intelligence do not require residents to accept every proposed facility, location, subsidy or demand on the state’s land, water and electricity infrastructure.
The article addresses data center growth at a statewide policy level rather than describing a specific project or government decision. It calls for closer scrutiny of the environmental and infrastructure consequences of development, but the available text does not identify a particular company, locality or concrete regulatory action.