In recent years, Loudoun County in the US state of Virginia has become known as the data centre capital of the world. The community of Sterling has even earned the name “data centre alley”, after around 250 data centres were built in the area only slightly larger than Hong Kong and plans were made for more than 100 more. About 75 per cent of Americans now oppose having data centres built near them, up from 42 per cent just a year ago, according to a poll published by Heatmap News. Residents have complained about noise and pollution caused by the booming AI industry. However, US politicians including President Donald Trump, as well as tech industry advocates, say Chinese influence campaigns are amplifying grassroots opposition – a claim locals who live near the centres deny.
Source: South China Morning Post
