Collection
Updated 14d
* I’m neither “pro-AI” nor “anti-AI.” I’ve been blocked for being perceived as both. —Actually, I’m honestly more anti-AI than pro-AI thus far, aside from specialized models and specific use cases, but I’m willing to consider information that’s new to me
Amazon’s $1B plan to combat data center backlash draws more backlash
Amazon praised for ending NDAs but slammed for downplaying data center pollution.
Data Centre Silence
How EU leaders sided with Big Tech over the public’s right to know about the true scale and environmental impact of the AI build-out, forcing a legal challenge to seek disclosure
How Meta Uses A.I. Data Centers to Avoid Billions in Federal Taxes
Meta is exploiting a lucrative tax break intended to support research and experimentation. Its own accountants say the gambit is risky.
More Americans now say data centers are negative for the environment, energy costs and more
Americans’ views of data centers have turned more negative since January. But many are unsure or unfamiliar with them.
New estimate of AI e-waste - VU Amsterdam
In new research, data scientist Alex de Vries-Gao estimates that AI servers could generate 131–224.8 kilotonnes of e-waste per year by 2030.
E-waste challenges of generative artificial intelligence
Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) requires substantial computational resources for model training and inference, but the electronic-waste (e-waste) implications of GAI and its management strategies remain underexplored. Here we introduce a computational power-driven material flow analysis framework to quantify and explore ways of managing the e-waste generated by GAI, with a particular focus on large language models. Our findings indicate that this e-waste stream could increase, potentially reaching a total accumulation of 1.2–5.0 million tons during 2020–2030, under different future GAI development settings. This may be intensified in the context of geopolitical restrictions on semiconductor imports and the rapid server turnover for operational cost savings. Meanwhile, we show that the implementation of circular economy strategies along the GAI value chain could reduce e-waste generation by 16–86%. This underscores the importance of proactive e-waste management in the face of advancing GAI technologies.
AI E-Waste May be 40 to 60 Times What Has Been Estimated, New Analysis Finds
Email from Basel Action Network First-of-its-kind full-infrastructure analysis by Basel Action Network projects 395 to 617 million tonnes of AI-driven electronic equipment could be retired between 202
The AI data center e-waste problem is huge — and getting bigger
It’s even bigger than previously thought.
Two weeks. No power. Gary, Indiana, failed Black citizens. | Opinion
As data centers overload grids across the country, power outages like the ones we're seeing now in Gary and Memphis will only become more frequent.
Not enough water for UK’s datacentre plans, trade body says
Industry says government’s failure to address cooling demands means AI growth plans are ‘fatally flawed’
One of East Coast’s largest data centers accused of ‘violating federal law'
Thermal drone footage shows DataOne — the Microsoft-backed AI data center in Vineland — is powering its operations with dozens of unpermitted generators
How much of a problem is AI’s water use?
AI’s water footprint is growing, but location and cooling technology make a difference.
The Fight Against Google’s Minnesota Data Centers - UNICORN RIOT
Minnesota residents are organizing against proposed hyperscale data centers, especially Google-linked projects in Pine Island and Hermantown, citing secrecy through NDAs, inadequate environmental review, and issues with water use, electricity, noise pollution and more.
AI電力網は国民負担？ 大手電力が「6000億円分」値上げ申請
生成AIの「Chat（チャット）GPT」や「Gemini（ジェミニ）」を使うコストは――。生成AIサービスを使う人も使わない人も同じく、データセンターを支える電力網の整備費は電気料金の一部として支払う。その負担が膨張する見通しだ。大量の計算をするAIサービス基盤となる大規模データセンターは多くの電力を消費する。電力供給網の整備コストは、最終的に家庭・企業に転嫁される。送電網を担う会社が「託送
Anti-AI Populism is Reshaping American Politics
Democrats are winning on data center opposition. So are Republicans.
データセンター建設問題、なぜ住宅地に…「危険物」貯蔵施設として法整備を 自治体を越えて住民ら連携強化：東京新聞デジタル
住宅密集地などでのデータセンター（DC）建設に反発する首都圏の地域住民らが連携を強化している。事業者側との「紛争状態」が深まる一方、住...
How Elon Musk's AI Empire In Memphis Became A Cautionary Tale
Elon Musk's Memphis AI empire is the epicenter of the data center backlash
Data center-related policy proposals, protests and litigation are underway across the country citing Colossus and Memphis as a cautionary tale.
Thousands in US expected to protest against ICE, datacenters and voter suppression this weekend
Demonstrations planned across the US this weekend will focus on three issues likely to define the midterm elections
