Memphis councilwoman demands xAI contract disclosure during data center moratorium debate
Memphis City Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton urged the council to support a proposed moratorium while demanding disclosure of a contract and nondisclosure agreements allegedly connected to xAI. She said officials and residents were not adequately involved in the deal and questioned the consequences of allowing the company to operate in Memphis.
Memphis City Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton spoke during a discussion of a proposed moratorium on data center development, saying she would support the measure until the city provides a contract she believes was signed with xAI. Cooper-Sutton said council members and residents were not included in negotiations and raised concerns about nondisclosure agreements, transparency and possible threats connected to the project.
Cooper-Sutton also questioned the length of an 18-month moratorium and criticized what she described as private dealings involving xAI and its government-affairs representatives. Councilwoman White responded that she was not aware of the alleged contract or any nondisclosure agreements and urged members to be precise to avoid worsening public distrust. The council discussion did not establish the contract's contents or whether the moratorium had been finally adopted.