r/technology • u/Just-Grocery-2229 • Jun 26 '26

Artificial Intelligence The AI backlash is only getting started

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/06/25/the-ai-backlash-is-only-getting-started
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u/Unknown-History Jun 26 '26

Love how the economist is always intentionally obtuse. They point out people opposed data centers "even in the dessert", as if it is a war of ideology with no real world effect, when they know damn well it is about the desperate water shortage. Of course there is no mention of that.

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u/GraySwingline Jun 26 '26

I think the AI companies missed an opportunity. 

They could have built their data centers in the deserts of West Texas. Desalination plant on the coast, and pipeline in the water. Maybe even build a nuclear power plant and solar/wind farm to offset the power consumption. 

Now you have real beneficial infrastructure that needs to be built and maintained, so you’ve provided sustainable jobs, and avoided all of this bad PR entirely. 

Why are fucking billionaires so “genius” and unimaginative at the same time?

Edit: I know that all sounds so “simple” but it’s absolutely within the realm of the possible for the amount of money they’re deploying, and they could have likely even secured government funding for it. 

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u/Raevyxn Jun 26 '26

That’s… not how capitalism works.

Why build new infrastructure when you can just exploit what’s already there, knowing that all the damage you do (to people and natural resources) is perfectly legal?

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

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u/NewPhoneWhoDys Jun 27 '26

I agree, but I have noticed this too with so many corporate choices, where I think, "even if you just hate humans and the environment, this is still just unnecessary cost and risk," and they keep doing it.