AI is transforming everything—but what’s powering it? In this episode of The Deep, Erika Ahern uncovers the hidden costs of AI data centers: skyrocketing energy use, water consumption, rising utility bills, and growing local backlash. The cloud isn’t weightless—it’s industrial. And it might be coming to your backyard next.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro: The AI data center explosion

1:59 How data centers have changed

4:07 Mapping U.S. data centers

5:40 Energy consumption

7:52 Residents pay the price

9:18 Water usage

11:11 Land grabs and noise

12:23 Tax incentives

13:23 Do data centers create jobs?

14:55 Encroachment on residential areas

15:37 What are we doing about it?

17:24 Conclusion: Is there any stopping it?

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