Can we stop these AI Data Centres?!?!?!?!?
I think the title says it all, but if you’re not aware, TELUS is going forward with implementing two new AI data centres in Vancouver and one in Kamloops.
(One of which will be RIGHT next to B.C. Place)
These data centres are set to be built by 2029 which means there’s only three short years where we have a chance to do something about this… but I find myself at a loss.
Does anyone know how to even go about something like this?
The federal government is dumping BILLIONS of dollars into this, without AI restrictions for neither the environment or just the safety of people online.
I don’t need to be a decorated professor to tell you why this is bad— the push for AI is already disastrous to the human condition, and it’s even worse for the environment.
If that doesn’t appeal to you, then think selfishly for a minute these data centres drive up the price of well consuming hundreds of megawatts of it— no to mention gallons of water just for a shitty video.
Allegedly these data centres will be repurposing the heat they produce, so instead of releasing it into the air, it will be redirected to heat up nearby buildings… this is good I guess?
I’m really not an expert so I would need someone else to let me know if there are bigger downsides to this.
I urge you if you’re reading this to please reach out to the Canadian government and pressure for strict AI regulations for both the environment, for peoples online safety, for limits on how much energy can be used and how much prices can be jacked up— I honestly don’t know what to do.
But I refuse to feel helpless as I watch this happen.