Alabama residents raise concerns over AI data centers in rural communities
By Camden Morris
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MCCALLA, Alabama (WVTM) — Representatives of the AI Data Center Revolt Tour visited Alabama to highlight the impact of data centers on rural communities and encourage residents to share their stories and make their voices heard.
“Rural America is under attack by big tech. They want us. They want our land. They they don’t care about us,” said Kathy Latham, Texas state director of Humans First.
Organizers said they hope the event raises awareness about the level of control communities have over this technology and its downstream effects.
“Hopefully people have a renewed sense of urgency as it concerns the development of AI and data centers in communities. You know, this is potentially going to be a deeply transformative technology. The unfortunate thing is, is that as it is being built out and as it is being kind of rolled out into the community is causing a lot of negative effects, both directly at the facilities and the surrounding areas there, but also in the people that are using it,” said Joseph Baker, a co-organizer of the event.
Terri Michal, a vocal opponent of data centers, has previously been removed from a Birmingham City Council meeting during a dispute over public comment rules after repeatedly raising concerns about data center projects. She shared her hopes for community involvement.
“I need them to to get educated. You’re going to have, you know, people don’t have to know everything about everything because this is a complicated issue. But they need to find trusted sources, and they need to keep themselves in them so that they can come and stand and be counted at the city council and at things like this, so that hopefully we can start to make a difference,” Michal said.
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