60 Minutes Transcript: The data center uproar
Summary
Data centers are large buildings full of computers that run artificial intelligence and use a lot of electricity and water. Across the U.S., many people in towns like Red Oak, Texas, and Loudoun County, Virginia, are worried about the effects of new data centers on their communities, such as higher bills, pollution, and less water.Key Facts
- There are over 3,000 data centers in the U.S., with 1,500 more proposed.
- Data centers use large amounts of electricity and water, causing concerns about resources.
- Residents in places like Texas, Virginia, and Arizona are raising issues about pollution, high energy costs, noise, and water use.
- Some local governments have approved data center construction despite opposition from residents.
- Michael Webber, a University of Texas professor, advises tech companies to be responsible with taxes, jobs, power use, water use, and carbon emissions.
- The fast growth and large size of data centers have increased community pressures and fears.
- Data centers are key to supporting artificial intelligence technology, which is rapidly changing work and life.
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