A recent poll shows that many people in Ontario are worried about the new AI data centres being planned for their neighborhoods.
As Artificial Intelligence continues to grow rapidly, data centres, which support cloud computing and AI, have been making headlines.
Both Mississauga and Hamilton have seen recent proposals for data centres, and local residents have voiced their concerns. People are anxious about the potential pressure on city services like water and electricity, as well as the environmental effects of these data centres.
At the same time, there’s an increasing demand for these facilities.
Recently, York University released a report stating that data centres are “critical infrastructure” needed to facilitate the world’s expanding digital landscape.
“Everything from streaming video and online banking to scientific research and generative AI depends on their (data centres) ability to store, process and move enormous volumes of data,” the report notes.
The report discusses how much electricity these centres consume, the limited number of long-term jobs they provide, alongside worries about emissions and issues surrounding data sovereignty.
In Hamilton, a proposal by Slate Asset Management to transform approximately three square kilometres of waterfront into a “digital and industrial” hub called Steelport was rejected by a city committee after hundreds of locals opposed it.
This week in Mississauga, residents can find out more about a plan for undeveloped land on Tenth Line West in Meadowvale Business Park, just south of Highway 401. Prologis, which operates various industrial properties worldwide, is proposing a two-storey data centre at this location.
Councillor Martin Reid is organizing a community meeting regarding this proposal. He emphasized that it’s still early days for this project. He stated he supports staff in asking “tough questions and thoroughly examining every concern raised by residents-from environmental impacts to traffic, noise, water usage and job creation.”
“That is why I have brought together all stakeholders for a public town hall at Erin Meadows Community Centre. Residents deserve answers, and your questions will help inform the staff report that comes back to Council following Prologis’ resubmission,” he mentioned in an email to INsauga. com.
Despite this effort, concerned citizens have started a petition against the data centre. The petition raises issues about potential effects on municipal water supply, electricity use, and noise pollution from the facility.
It seems many individuals are apprehensive about new AI data centres being established nearby.
INsauga. com asked its readers: Are you worried about AI data centres being built in your area?
As of June 23rd, over 75 percent of respondents-3,353 people-answered yes.
An additional 1,111 respondents-just under 25 percent-said no.
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Poll:
Last 30 Days: 43,028 Votes All Time: 1,402,952 Votes 4563 VOTESAre you concerned about AI data centres being built in your community?
The community meeting regarding the Mississauga proposal is set for Thursday June 25th at 6 p. m. at Erin Meadows Community Centre. For further details on the meeting or to register attendance see Reid’s website here. Poll disclaimer: This poll reflects the views of participating readers and is not a scientific sample. Participation was voluntary and limited to the publication’s audience. With files from the Canadian Press Lead photo: Brett Sayles INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies Last 30 Days: 43,028 Votes All Time: 1,402,952 Votes 2678 VOTESSource link
