Throughout this season, we've learned about the threats and harms data centers pose to local communities. But is there a better way to build this tech infrastructure? On this episode, Danny invites energy, broadband, and local business experts to discuss how we can build and regulate data centers in ways that keep agency within local communities. From BYONCE (Bring Your Own New Clean Energy) to transparency, and from antitrust action to community-scaled, locally owned data centers, this episode breaks down all the ways we can create a better future — one where local communities have control over what happens next. 

In this episode, we hear from:

Stacy Mitchell: Writer, strategist, policy advocate, co-executive director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, with a focus on the importance of small, independent businesses.

Chris Mitchell: Program director at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, who is a leading national expert on community networks, Internet access, and local broadband policies, and host of the Unbuffered podcast.

John Farrell: Co-executive director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and leads the organization’s work on energy systems, including duties as host of the Local Energy Rules podcast.

Resources:

Institute for Local Self-Reliance - The Policies Communities Need to Confront the AI Data Center Race

Good Jobs First - Shutting Down Data Center Subsidies

Steph Speirs on TikTok - Solving the AI Power Problem 

AI Now Policy Institute - North Star Data Center Policy Toolkit