Artificial intelligence has been the number one focus for the tech world across the last few years and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon, yet the impacts of that immense demand are clear on the Americans who now live close to data centers that prop up companies like Meta and xAI.
Outside of ethical concerns and fears surrounding job security, by far the biggest issue facing the rapid growth of artificial intelligence development and usage across the world is its environmental impact.
Scientists have revealed the 'real cost' of AI searches, indicating that it is far higher than a standard Google enquiry, and all that power has to be drawn from somewhere.
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That's where data centers come into play, as these massive buildings serve as the engine that keeps models like ChatGPT, Grok, and Meta's Llama up and running, yet their existence has a clear and shocking negative impact on the lives of those who stay nearby — including one woman who lives just 400 yards from Meta's data center.
What impact has the data center had on her life?
As shared by More Perfect Union on YouTube, Beverly and Jeff Morris received a shock when they realized that their Mansfield, Georgia home would be just 400 yards from Meta's biggest AI data center, leaving it effectively at the end of their driveway.
What was one a peaceful and nature centered getaway has now turned into a nightmare, as the married couple have limited access to water, are exposed to extreme light and noise pollution, and have seen their energy bills nearly double.
"Just the well itself is probably $20,000," Jeff revealed when discussing the costly replacements they've been forced to make since Meta moved in next door, with Beverly adding that "it's overwhelming because you really feel like you are up against this huge wall that you can't penetrate. There's nothing that you can do, and they don't care."
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They're far from the only people to suffer too, as Fayetteville resident Jean Marschall has similarly suffered from persistent light and noise issues that keep her up at night, with no way to actually deal with the issue.
Residents across the entire state of Georgia have seen their energy bills increase as a consequence of Meta's immense energy demands too, with Beverly and Jeff's bills going up from around $250 a month to over $400 following the completion of the data center.
"Socalize the cost but privatize the profits, typical corporate gain," writes one commenter underneath the video, with another adding that "when high tech moves into your area, you are doomed. They ruined my home town with rich people who raise rents and property taxes."
Will things get worse in the future?
Every indication worryingly points towards the reality that this will only continue to get worse as time goes on too, especially as companies continue to build more data centers that are larger in size in order to keep up with demand for AI.
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Meta has already confirmed plans for a 'mammoth' data center large enough to cover the entirety of Manhattan, indicating that the Louisiana-based data center will supply around five gigawatts of power.
Combining this with another 'super cluster' in Ohio and the existing aforementioned Georgia data center and Meta will be pulling significant power from the grid, leaving residents with little for themselves — and that's only counting efforts from Zuckerberg's company.
Elon Musk's xAI has already faced legal scrutiny and severe backlash from residents in close proximity to his Memphis data center, as they believe that the harmful gases produced by the allegedly illegal number of methane turbines at the facility are effectively poisoning everyone that lives nearby.