Criminal investigation launched into Google's Finnish data center project (www.techradar.com)

A preliminary police investigation has been launched into Google's Finnish subsidiary, Tuike Finland, after the company cleared and drained 330 hectares of forest in Muhos for a new AI data center without completing necessary environmental impact assessments. The police are examining "ambiguities and shortcomings" in the project's drainage and water management, with potential charges of environmental damage. Construction at the site, as well as a second data center in Kajaani-Otanmäki, was halted in mid-October due to these incomplete assessments, and the investigation's findings are not expected until 2027. This incident is significant for the AI/ML community as it raises important questions about the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure fueled by the growing demand for AI capabilities. Local concerns include the environmental impact of such projects, with reports of wildlife displacement and negligible benefits to Finnish residents, who see few local job opportunities from these international ventures. Experts criticize the AI gold rush as prioritizing corporate interests over ecological and societal well-being, emphasizing the need for greater accountability and transparency in large-scale tech developments.