_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

A new report alleges that Chinese propaganda networks, foreign dark money, and nonprofits funded by tech tycoon Neville Roy Singham are coordinating campaigns against American AI data center construction.

The report, titled "Foreign Influence in the Campaign against American AI," identifies three overlapping influence operations working to block US infrastructure projects while China aggressively expands its own AI capabilities.

The allegations come as activists affiliated with these networks stage protests against data center projects across multiple states, including a recent demonstration in Utah against a facility backed by investor Kevin O'Leary.

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Shane S.5 months ago

This did make me pause and consider. We know our enemies abroad have only one metric of success - winning. So, it's makes their decision making much more linear. If our enemies are pushing so fervently against AI data centers, makes you reconsider how much we should be against them as well. It feels a bit Cold War-esque...Code War?

America is huge though. What I don't understand is why data centers need to be near any population center or take up farmland. Surely, there is land somewhere for these centers. What about underground? Earth has a natural cooling effect. Or what about combining the idea of a data center with desalination. Use the heat from the data centers (into a sand battery?) to desalinate salt water? Workers at these plants could be like oil rigs. They go and live there for a period of time and then return home.

Farmers and Farmland is already at extinction levels, there will be no Americans for Data Centers if we don't have food.

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Michael H.5 months ago

It is my understanding that the data centers need to be in proximity to a huge power grid/supply. And the buildings that are needed to house the equipment are very specialized to control environment and other factors. AI apparently requires a massive amount of space in order to have the computing capabilities necessary.

Also, the ccp is not a trustworthy source for what is "necessary" for AMERICAN interests. They will do/say anything to maintain the lead in technology. Typically speaking, innovations in tech originate in the US and the is stolen and adapted/modified to suit the needs of our advisories. I have no doubt that the ccp would live to have an edge to stay ahead of the US in this field. I am NOT a huge fan of the AI push, but understand the necessity of it in our time. As populations grow the advances AI can help with make it needed. As with all tech, there are pitfalls. But Typically the benefits outweigh the potential problems. (just my 2 cents worth)

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Photo Man5 months ago

"Does this report change your views on American AI development?" I do not know if it is altering my "view". Just how many data centers are supposedly needed across the US? In my prime farmland area, we already have Amazon's worldwide logistics data center, that has completely destroyed hundreds of acres of this county's most fertile and productive farmland = a pure crime! And yet still within our county, Amazon and others are trying really hard to acquire a few more thousand acres of very good farmland. Why here? There are plenty of other areas of the US and with rural poverty that could benefit from these data centers good paying jobs.

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Cyndee Pacheco5 months ago

Not that many jobs, from what I read.

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Jean Lackey 5 months ago

Someone is selling that prime farmland to the company building the data center. It takes two to tango Just a thought.

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louis Duke5 months ago

The pressure to sell is heavy and misleading from people who sold and as a result imminent domain thru court action comes up in Texas no help at the state level

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Vann Ellison5 months ago

Vann E The opposition to building data centers has never made any sense to me. Now the push to stop this is revealed as a CCP effort to cripple America.

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Photo Man5 months ago

I studied the 'graphic' by zooming into it and scrolling around, reading it all. What a well oiled CCP campaign. And it ALL led to 2 of our real favorite politicians - Bernie and his girlfriend AOC = surprise, surprise. This is another proof how they are anti-American and pro-communist.

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Laney B5 months ago

This report DID give me pause. However, my home county, Coweta, in Georgia has no less than FIVE data centers currently proposed! That pretty much leaves no part of us unaffected. It's extremely difficult to be in support of that.

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Michael H.5 months ago

There is new information (ccp attempts to hamper US development of data centers) that does not surprise me. My stance on AI development is still one of using caution and restrictions on the overall "power" of the AI systems.

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Don G5 months ago

The report adds concerns. The concerns are in cost to individuals. Electric generation being added to consumer in the area and the enormous amount of water required.

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Terry McCall5 months ago

We have to be able to solve the data center issue. We must stay competitive with China as well as making the energy constraints easier to live with.

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Jim Ahern5 months ago

So is this article really framed to be about "AI Development" or more so on yet another infiltration to bring down the American infrastructure? It would seem the later and it should definitely be the more focal point. AI has been around for years in reality and now the technology has caught up to expand to the next level. I would say practice caution and use a moderate template in it's utilization. But as far as the ongoing efforts of those, foreign and domestic, whose goal is to simply turn the US into some cesspool third world country, we have the perfect report/template, as provided by our buddies at (UpWard) here, to start indicting, prosecuting and punishing those who work to the never ending detriment of our once great country. So let me say it again as many of us on this board have in the past on numerous topics, WHEN THE HELL IS THERE GOING TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPERCUSSIONS?? The Constitution is pretty clear on the oath to defend America from all who wish her harm..

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Doug Ebbecke5 months ago

Seems the long and short of it is, do we want to be a leader in AI or a follower and play catch up with our enemies. It’s likely to end up here regardless, just a question of time and our position in regards to our enemies. The world we currently live in is highly competitive and we have to decide what our position in it will be. As in business, if your not growing your headed for failure.

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Susan Kurzman5 months ago

Does "Join the Discussion" have a letter count restriction? Is anyone else having trouble posting their opinion?

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Michael H.5 months ago

There is a limit on response length. The counter is in the top right corner and is very faint on my screen. You can not post ANY of your comment if you exceed the count. I have used "cut and paste" to be able to post the beginning and reply to my own comment to send the remainder.

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Susan Kurzman5 months ago

Thanks for that info! Much appreciated. ~SK

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James Coutu5 months ago

I worked on the data center Shelton, CT call Bluestone I think one of the first and 2009 finished the coolest part of the building. There’s no heat computer heat the building and not that many people know about it. It’s earthquake proof and tornado proof.

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Greg Berry5 months ago

One moment closer to the return of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I think AI is amazing but out of control. And, the USA needs to be the leader. So, whatever it takes.

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Bob Tasker5 months ago

This report highlights the importance of our moving forward with AI and related data centers. China does not have the ability to keep up with the US, so it will do everything it can to slow down US AI advances. Short sighted government officials appear to be onboard with Chinese efforts to slow us down. Why would any government move against an environmentally clean, economically sound source of high paying hi-tech jobs? Only Sanders and AOC. Bob Tasker

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Bernie Peer5 months ago

No

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