The AI data center boom is reshaping economies while straining power grids, water supplies, and communities. Here’s the real cost behind AI’s rise.

Several indicators point to continued growth in data center construction in 2026, driven by billions in funding from tech and software companies.

If a single type of building could define our present time, it would undoubtedly be the data center. Underpinning the increasingly online way we work, shop, and entertain ourselves, data centers provide the computing power and storage to handle all the ...

AI’s energy problem may also be its solution, as cities are increasingly exploring opportunities to repurpose excess heat from data centers.

They form the backbone of social media platforms, e-commerce sites and other technologies. They pay big tax bills but suck up energy and water.

"I guess one person's sabotage is another person's letting folks know."

Despite the risk of AI singularity resulting in human extinction (hello, Skynet), the temptations of big data are still driving mind-boggling investment in data centers. In some places, that growth has brought tragic downsides for neighboring residents- running aquifers dry and skyrocketing electric bills.

Engineers at Utilidata's new Ann Arbor headquarters are testing, developing technology to make data centers more power efficient.

Bring Your Own Generation’ requirement, development moratorium among policy solutions under consideration by Elrich