Kevin O'Leary wants AI data centre in Utah. Some residents aren't happy (www.cbc.ca)

Investor Kevin O'Leary has proposed a significant AI data center project in rural Utah, aiming to replicate his ambitious $70-billion facility in Alberta. The Utah campus is designed to deliver 7.5 gigawatts of computing power across 10,000 to 13,000 acres, while a larger 40,000-acre development would include a natural gas power plant generating up to nine gigawatts. O'Leary argues that this project would foster local economic growth by creating approximately 2,000 jobs and enhancing U.S. computing capabilities. He emphasizes a commitment to transparency and environmental assessments before construction can begin. However, the project has met considerable resistance from residents concerned about its environmental impact, particularly given the declining state of the Great Salt Lake. Critics argue the facility's energy demands and emissions could exacerbate local ecological issues, highlighting that the area is already facing water shortages and deteriorating air quality. Many residents desire more input in the decision-making process, with a group advocating for a referendum to allow voters a say on the project’s approval. This controversy underscores the growing tensions between technological advancement and environmental sustainability within the AI/ML community.