GoKawiilThe rapid buildout of data centers across the US to meet the increasing needs of AI tools has become a controversial topic, with state laws popping up to limit their construction, and cities and individuals weighing in to stop them.
As tech giants rush to build out these massive AI data centers, critics have questioned the land, water and power being guzzled, including the protesters staking out the Microsoft Build software conference focusing on AI in San Francisco this week.
One of the people positioned at the entrance to the Fort Mason event center, handing out leaflets detailing the effects of data centers being built, was Amy Herman. I spoke to her about her concerns.
"I would say it's more of an opposing viewpoint," she clarified when I asked about the protest. "It's not that we're against technology, or against any sort of monetization of innovation."
She said it's more a challenge of balancing limited natural resources with big tech companies that don't want to be held accountable for managing climate change while chasing technological advancement.
"What we're doing on our planet and all the impacts that are happening, not just here in San Francisco but across the United States," said Herman, adding that "the ripple effects of that are going to be felt."
Protests took place outside the Microsoft Build conference at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Corinne Reichert/CNET
During the Microsoft Build keynote on Tuesday morning, CEO Satya Nadella said Microsoft would seek community permission to build data centers in the future.
It's aiming to get approval from local residents by improving the cooling systems and reducing water use by data centers; ensuring data centers don't increase electricity prices for locals; adding to "the tax base that funds local hospitals, schools, parks and libraries," and investing in AI training and non-profits in those areas.
Nadella called the rapid buildout of data centers "extraordinary" during a live podcast on Tuesday with Sarah Guo and Elad Gil of No Priors and Swyx of Latent Space.
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