AI data centers are booming. Indigenous People want help protecting their lands and knowledge
Indigenous leaders globally are raising concerns at the UN regarding the rapid expansion of AI data centers, which they claim threaten their lands, water, and rights due to vast resource consumption. In the US, the Tulsa City Council enacted a moratorium on a Meta data center project, and several tribal nations have also passed moratoriums amid local opposition and concerns over electricity and water use. Indigenous advocates are pushing for free, prior, and informed consent for such developments and exploring responsible AI infrastructure.
Indigenous leaders, governments, and experts are vocalizing grave concerns at the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) regarding the global proliferation of AI data centers. They warn that the immense land, energy, and water requirements for these hyperscale facilities pose significant threats to Indigenous peoples' rights, territories, and traditional knowledge, advocating for the principle of free, prior, and informed consent in all development.
Experts highlight the dramatic resource demands, noting that a single AI-focused data center can consume over 100 megawatts annually and billions of liters of water, straining local resources. Maren Storslett of the Sámi Parliament in Norway and Aluki Kotierk, Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, emphasized the environmental costs and the degradation of sacred sites that often occur without meaningful Indigenous participation.
The article cites several examples of pushback. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a Meta data center project faces strong opposition from community members, including Cheyenna Morgan of Stop Data Colonialism, who points to increased electricity bills and resource burden. In response, the Tulsa City Council enacted a moratorium in March to further assess the project's impacts. Similarly, several US tribal nations, including the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, have also passed data center moratoriums. Internationally, protests and legal actions against Google in Chile and TikTok in Brazil underscore the widespread nature of these disputes.
Despite the challenges, some Indigenous communities are exploring ways to engage with AI development responsibly. Matthew Rantanen, a Cree descendant, advocates for industry shifts towards renewable energy and alternative cooling. Initiatives like the Woodland Cree First Nation's plans for a 650-megawatt data center with a 51% stake, and New Zealand's Te Kāhui Raraunga's Māori Data Governance Model, demonstrate efforts to ensure AI infrastructure aligns with Indigenous priorities and rights, emphasizing informed decision-making and participation.