The Daily · The New York Times

When A.I. Comes to Town: The Backlash Over Data Centers

February 16, 2026·31 min·3 clips
Four tech giants spent $400 billion on data centers last year—a sum comparable to the GDP of entire nations.
This episode investigates the backlash against AI data centers in rural America, focusing on St. Joseph County, Indiana, where communities grapple with the promise of economic growth versus concerns over resources, quality of life, and corporate control. Through a tense county council hearing, it reveals how local resistance is challenging tech giants' rapid expansion.
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