SZA says 'no!' to Elon Musk's xAI data center setting up shop in a Black, Memphis neighborhood - DINT 161
Data centers dedicated to AI demand more resources than traditional ones. Electricity and water become more expensive when an AI data center comes to town. And in some cases, so do pollutants.
Last week recording artist SZA called out xAI for placing its data center in a low-income Black neighborhood in Memphis. SZA was one of many vocal opponents of the plan to place an AI data center in an Black neighborhood. Here’s why:
AI data centers drive up demand for electricity and cause prices to soar.
According to the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), the facility draws enough electricity to power 100,000 homes.They also need water to cool the computing equipment. There is much more computing hardware in an AI data center than non-AI data centers.
These facilities consume up to 1.5 million gallons of water daily. This water comes from local supplies that could serve the community.
Generators that ensure the AI data center remains online in the event of a power shortage emit diesel gas fumes which add more pollutants to the air.
Also, the site’s methane gas turbines increase Memphis's smog by 30-60% as they release nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde around the clock. The facility operates 35 gas turbines in southwest Memphis without legal permits.
AI has super-charged the challenges associated with data centers since their inception. Many affluent communities have launched Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY) protests to stop the placement of data centers in their area. In very few cases are they successful.
Take Prince William County, Virginia for instance. In a rare convergence of wealthy landowners, Black and Native American opposition, county commissioners voted 5-2 in favor of greenlighting a “Digital Gateway” project. It converts 2,100 acres of rural land into a data center campus. In the past the community has fought off attempts to turn this area into a Disney theme park, auto racetrack, and megamall.
But when it came to data centers, the community didn’t win … at least, not yet. Construction on the project has yet to begin, despite the approval from county commissioners. A homeowners association is suing to halt the project.
So what are the chances of a low-income, Black neighborhood being spared the extra burden of a resource-guzzling behemoth on the block? Slim to none. That is, unless people organize around a common goal of preventing the harms of AI data centers. Creator Sigin Ojulu (@nubia.the.creator) has some amazing points about dealing with these encroachments.
Demand transparency on how data centers are powered, in your area.
Support lawful resistance. Black residents are organizing protests against xAI’s gas plants.
Create regenerative tech by founding AI companies that keep community health and wellness at the center of operations.
Related Content:
Are you moving to the Commonwealth of Amazon?
Local VA officials ignore public concerns over Big Tech data centers … again
More News at the Intersection of Tech Race and Gender
Grammarly’s New Partnership Is Making AI Writing Assistance More Inclusive
Latimer AI, the first inclusive Large Language Model (LLM), and Grammarly are collaborating to help students improve their writing skills and cultural awareness. Grammarly for Education customers will now have access to both services, enabling institutions to enhance students’ academic success and improve learning outcomes.
Source: People of Color in Tech
Palate Cleanser
Thank you for keeping me informed 👍