The surge in AI technology development has triggered a spree of new datacenter projects, sparking growing concerns from local communities about their environmental and social repercussions. In Georgia’s Coweta County, accusations have emerged surrounding private meetings between county officials and lobbyists for a planned datacenter, igniting transparency issues. Environmental advocates highlight the lack of communication channels for community representatives, urging more inclusive discussions.

In Pennsylvania and other parts of the US, community groups have blocked or delayed numerous datacenter projects, collectively worth $64 billion, citing similar environmental and social concerns. A report from Data Center Watch underscores these grassroots movements against server farm expansions.

Moreover, in Essex, England, Google’s advancement with a datacenter at North Weald Airfield faces opposition over potential disruptions to local activities and skepticism regarding job allocations.

Environmental advocates, such as The Sierra Club, have called out major tech companies for their energy consumption, pressing them to adhere to pledged climate goals as new fossil fuel power plants rise to meet datacenter demands.

Industry experts warn that public understanding of datacenters and their roles must be enhanced to bridge the gap between tech advancements and community well-being.