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Beyond The Campaign · Yesterday · 34 min

Data Centers with Mitch Jones

In this episode of Beyond the Campaign, Mitch Jones from Food & Water Watch explores the growing concerns surrounding data centers and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, including the potential risks of superintelligent AI. The conversation examines the environmental impact of data centers, including energy and water consumption, as well as potential public health and political consequences. Mitch also discusses how the expansion of AI infrastructure can affect local communities and why grassroots organizing, community activism, and public opposition are essential for holding corporations and policymakers accountable. Learn how communities can push back against unchecked data center development and advocate for a more sustainable and responsible approach to AI technology. What We're Talking About... The environmental impact of hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure Data center water consumption, energy use, and strain on local resources Potential public health risks associated with data center pollution and emissions The influence of Big Tech companies and billionaires on AI and data center policy Community organizing and grassroots activism against data center expansion Legislative efforts, moratoriums, and policies aimed at regulating data centers and AI development The potential risks of superintelligent AI and concerns about human extinction Bipartisan efforts to address the environmental and societal impacts of data centers and artificial intelligence Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest Mitch Jones 03:12 The alarming news about AI and its risks 04:41 The environmental and health impacts of data centers 08:02 Different types of data centers and their scale 10:08 Electricity and water usage of hyperscale data centers 12:18 Water pollution and chemical use in data centers 13:31 Noise and air pollution from data centers 14:01 Health impacts of smaller data centers 15:10 Disruption of local ecosystems and land use 19:02 What individuals can do to oppose data centers 20:03 Political landscape and bipartisan support for moratoriums 24:00 Legislative actions and bills to regulate AI and data centers 25:31 The global race for AI and robotics in China 27:18 Community organizing and grassroots efforts 28:05 The existential threat of superintelligent AI 30:48 The profit motive behind AI development 32:26 The potential for unity across political divides 33:24 Closing remarks and call to action Links Mentioned The Top 10 Reasons Data Centers Must Be Stopped: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/03/04/the-top-10-reasons-data-centers-must-be-stopped/ What Do We Lose When Our Leaders Give Handouts to Data Centers: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/06/08/data-center-tax-breaks-ohio/ Stop Data Centers Now! Campaign Toolkit: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/FOR-WEB-Toolkit_-Stop-the-Data-Center-Buildout-2.pdf

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show notes

In this episode of Beyond the Campaign, Mitch Jones from Food & Water Watch explores the growing concerns surrounding data centers and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, including the potential risks of superintelligent AI. The conversation examines the environmental impact of data centers, including energy and water consumption, as well as potential public health and political consequences. Mitch also discusses how the expansion of AI infrastructure can affect local communities and why grassroots organizing, community activism, and public opposition are essential for holding corporations and policymakers accountable. Learn how communities can push back against unchecked data center development and advocate for a more sustainable and responsible approach to AI technology.

What We're Talking About...

  • The environmental impact of hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure
  • Data center water consumption, energy use, and strain on local resources
  • Potential public health risks associated with data center pollution and emissions
  • The influence of Big Tech companies and billionaires on AI and data center policy
  • Community organizing and grassroots activism against data center expansion
  • Legislative efforts, moratoriums, and policies aimed at regulating data centers and AI development
  • The potential risks of superintelligent AI and concerns about human extinction
  • Bipartisan efforts to address the environmental and societal impacts of data centers and artificial intelligence

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest Mitch Jones

03:12 The alarming news about AI and its risks

04:41 The environmental and health impacts of data centers

08:02 Different types of data centers and their scale

10:08 Electricity and water usage of hyperscale data centers

12:18 Water pollution and chemical use in data centers

13:31 Noise and air pollution from data centers

14:01 Health impacts of smaller data centers

15:10 Disruption of local ecosystems and land use

19:02 What individuals can do to oppose data centers

20:03 Political landscape and bipartisan support for moratoriums

24:00 Legislative actions and bills to regulate AI and data centers

25:31 The global race for AI and robotics in China

27:18 Community organizing and grassroots efforts

28:05 The existential threat of superintelligent AI

30:48 The profit motive behind AI development

32:26 The potential for unity across political divides

33:24 Closing remarks and call to action

Links Mentioned

The Top 10 Reasons Data Centers Must Be Stopped: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/03/04/the-top-10-reasons-data-centers-must-be-stopped/

What Do We Lose When Our Leaders Give Handouts to Data Centers: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/06/08/data-center-tax-breaks-ohio/

Stop Data Centers Now! Campaign Toolkit: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/FOR-WEB-Toolkit_-Stop-the-Data-Center-Buildout-2.pdf

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