I'm excited to share a new article published in ARCHITECT magazine.
As the piece highlights, more and more cities and communities are faced with massive hyperscale data center projects. You also know the physical footprint of the AI boom is expanding rapidly, requiring huge amounts of real estate, power, and water.
I believe this expansion shouldn't drive a renewed reliance on fossil fuels, or come at the expense of the communities hosting them. One of the best ways we can prevent extending the lifespan of uneconomic coal and gas plants (or building new ones) is to stop building data centers on greenfield sites and farmland, and instead steer these projects toward aging fossil fuel plants ready for retirement coupled with renewable build outs.
Check out the full piece for a deep dive into AI hyperscale campus development, along with a checklist for planners, policymakers, and local residents to consider when a mega-data center comes to town.
Please pass it along to your local city council members, zoning boards, community leaders, and active environmental organizations!
Read the full article here: https://www.architectmagazine.com/carbon-positive/the-next-battle-over-ai-isnt-about-algorithms-its-about-land