Taylor Lorenz
@taylorlorenz·276K subscribers·519 videos
Inside the Towns Saying Hell No to AI Data Centers
Posted
September 2, 2026
Views
5,519
Likes
210
Comments
56
Engagement
4.82%
September 2, 2026
5,519
210
56
4.82%
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42:38Now PlayingSmall towns across America are revolting against massive AI data centers.
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In this episode of Power User, journalist Jasmine Sun breaks down her on-the-ground reporting across Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York to uncover why Republicans and Democrats are joining forces to halt Big Tech’s infrastructure expansion.
From secret NDAs signed by local officials to skyrocketing electricity bills, strained power grids, and broken economic promises, we examine how the demands of generative AI are affecting local communities. We also dive into the real environmental impacts (from water consumption myths to the real problems related to natural gas) and discuss how the current compute buildout is creating a speculative bubble.
Jasmine gets into how distrust of Big Tech is shaping the AI backlash, why previous development failures like Foxconn still influence Midwestern communities, and what the United States can learn from China's approach to AI infrastructure.
Read Jasmine's full piece
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