Letters to the Editor: Pushback against AI data centers shouldn’t be considered NIMBYism
News ClipLos Angeles Times·Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA·4/5/2026
An L.A. Times reader argues that public opposition to data centers should not be dismissed as NIMBYism. The letter contends that concerns about the negative impacts of data centers and AI are widespread and affect people regardless of their proximity to a development. The author suggests these concerns are more accurately described as "not in anyone's backyard."
opposition
In a "Letters to the Editor" submission to the Los Angeles Times, a reader asserts that the term "NIMBYism" is inappropriately applied to the growing public pushback against artificial intelligence data centers. Referencing an earlier Los Angeles Times report indicating that a majority of Americans perceive AI as more harmful than helpful, the letter argues that the opposition stems from genuine concerns that extend beyond local property values or aesthetics. The author posits that the sentiment is better captured as "not in anyone's backyard," emphasizing that the detrimental effects of data centers and AI could impact individuals regardless of their physical proximity to such facilities. The letter criticizes the conflation of NIMBYism with broader societal worries, suggesting it undermines the legitimate anxieties of people who believe they will suffer from these technological developments.