CyrusOne

The Pentagon is building data centers for AI-driven military technologies, prompting bipartisan congressional scrutiny over energy, water consumption, and community impacts. Lawmakers seek studies and evaluations to address concerns, while defense officials argue restrictions could hinder innovation. Private companies like Carlyle Group and CyrusOne are leasing military land to construct facilities.

A pro-data center lobbying group, North Carolina Connects, has spent $367,272 on an ad campaign promoting the economic benefits of data centers in North Carolina. The industry faces growing opposition, with over two dozen counties imposing moratoriums and legislative bills proposing new regulations. The ads highlight job creation and tax revenue while addressing concerns about energy and water usage.

Lee County residents opposed a proposed data center, claiming they were misled about its nature. Over 150 attendees at a commissioners meeting demanded transparency and a moratorium, citing noise pollution concerns and initial misrepresentation as a 'light industrial business park.'

France is expanding data centers, including a CyrusOne facility in Wissous near Paris, amid local resident opposition due to lack of consultation. President Macron's digital sovereignty goals and SoftBank's $50 billion data center investment are driving the push, but critics highlight environmental and regulatory challenges.

A Gallup survey found that more than 70% of Americans are opposed to the construction of an AI datacenter in their neighborhood, citing concerns about resource usage and quality-of-life issues. This opposition surpasses that of having a nuclear power plant nearby. The majority of respondents also expressed concerns about AI replacing human workers and the need for industry regulation.