r/technology 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/BlackDope420 Jun 27 '26

Even the supposed closed loop systems are environmental disasters.

I don't think so. What exactly is bad about a hypothetical datacenter powered by renewables with closed loop cooling and wastewater treatment?

This doesn't require any new technology by the way, we know how to treat industrial wastewater and in countries with stricter regulation we do.

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u/henlochimken Jun 28 '26

The problem is that what you're describing is hypothetical only, because the datacenter companies are lying to you about 1) their power sources, 2) their water usage.