Why everyone wants AI but no one wants a data center nearby | Joe Crawford
Joe Crawford, a columnist for the Alton Telegraph, discusses the public's widespread dislike for data centers, despite the growing demand for AI and internet services they support. Residents are primarily concerned about noise pollution, high consumption of water and electricity, and the limited number of jobs created post-construction. The article, an opinion piece, highlights the paradox of wanting the benefits of technology but not the infrastructure required.
In a column for the Alton Telegraph, longtime Alton resident and award-winning columnist Joe Crawford explores the public's contradictory stance on data centers: a desire for advanced technologies like AI and the internet, juxtaposed with strong opposition to data centers in their vicinity.
Crawford notes that many residents view data centers unfavorably due to several key concerns. These include their substantial consumption of valuable resources such as water and electricity, the perceived lack of significant long-term job creation after construction, and, most frequently, the constant, high-decibel humming noise they emit. Residents often report this low-frequency hum as a major source of annoyance, equating it to various irritating sounds.
The columnist draws parallels between the public's aversion to data centers and other often-disliked entities like drones and Flock cameras. He mentions local discussions about drone delivery, noting similar noise complaints, though drones consume less power and water. Regarding Flock cameras, Crawford describes public uproar over their mass surveillance capabilities and privacy implications, which critics argue create a system akin to warrantless tracking.
Crawford concludes by suggesting that a compromise for data center placement might be necessary, humorously proposing that their hum could be offset by placing them near churches with ringing bells. He emphasizes the challenge of reconciling the demand for AI with community desires for peace and quiet, and resource conservation.