Wired West: The Impact of AI Data Centers
Tech giants like Meta, Google, and Amazon are transforming the Mountain West with the construction of massive data centers.
These data centers, likened to the nervous system of artificial intelligence, are economic drivers but also raise concerns about energy and water use, and pollution.
- Arizona is a hotspot for data center development, with a significant increase in construction over the last two years.
- Data centers are being built in various locations, including neighborhoods, open plains, and rolling foothills.
“It's really growing very fast in Arizona and around the country — more so in the last two years,” said Tom Maples, DPR Construction project executive.
Author's summary: AI data centers are transforming the Mountain West, raising concerns about energy and water use.