Experts have cautioned that increasing local opposition to artificial intelligence (AI) data centers could slow the development of this technology’s infrastructure. A new report from the Brookings Institution emphasizes the growing necessity of community benefit agreements (CBAs) to address the concerns and objections of local populations. Large data centers play a crucial role in the rapid advancement of AI by processing vast amounts of data through billion-dollar investments. These centers utilize advanced computer hardware and consume significant energy resources, raising environmental, energy consumption, and infrastructure pressure concerns among some local communities. Such opposition has led to delays or outright cancellations of several projects.
The report highlights that CBAs, which provide financial, environmental, and social benefits to local communities, not only reduce conflicts but also promote transparency and cooperation in the expansion of data centers. Through these agreements, efforts are made to improve local employment opportunities, increase the use of renewable energy sources, and strengthen local infrastructure. As AI becomes increasingly vital to the global economy and drives innovation across various industries, obstacles to data center construction and expansion could impede AI progress, affecting both the technology sector and everyday users. Experts recommend that governments, companies, and local communities collaborate to develop agreements that protect the interests of all parties, ensuring the smooth growth of AI infrastructure and maximizing its positive societal impact.
Source: decrypt
