AI Data Centers and the Future of Our Communities

The panel of lawyers and activists examine the following: (1) air quality surrounding data centers; (2) rising cost of utilities to consumers; and (3) the availability of water for personal consumption and use. This program provides an overview and focus on specific examples including the construction and operation of the xAI data center in Tennessee and the falling water levels across the Great Lakes. While the use of A.I. technology is slowly becoming the norm, this panel shares the potential costs of their use and what we can do as consumers to protect community resources. This panel discusses the impact of data center construction and operation on our communities.

Moderator:

Chandra Taylor-Sawyer, Esq. | Senior Attorney and Environmental Justice Initiative Leader | Southern Environmental Law Center

Speakers:

• Amanda Garcia, Esq. | Senior Attorney and Data Center Project Leader | Southern Environmental Law Center 
• Raya Salter, Esq. | Adjunct Professor of Law | Cardozo Law
• Nayyirah Sharif | Director | Flint Rising