Kim Strassel on Data Centers: They’ve Done a Poor Job Talking About the Benefits, Stoked Too Many Fears

RUSH EXCERPT:
STRASSEL: "Look, I think there’s some blame to go around that the a.I. Companies probably stoked at too many fears in the beginning. Some of these a.I. heads were out there talking how a.I. was going to take away people’s jobs et cetera. They have walked some of that back now but they’ve also done a poor job of talking about the benefits. First of all what they provide. For instance as Dan was saying anything you like, you like zoom call that allows you to work remotely? That is because of a data center. You like video gaming, you like using instacart for your groceries, it’s because of the data center but they’re also not talking about the jobs they create, both downstream in terms of the supplies and going to the building of the actual construction themselves. The skilled jobs to run it when they come on and also the enormous tax revenue they are generating in places where they are located. Youif you look at Loudoun County some estimates data centers take up about 3% of the land provide about 40% of the local revenue. Tax is about $5800 more in person without these data centers. This is something they need to better job of explaining to the public as to politicians."