DIGITAL LIFE

Erin Brockovich returns to the scene, but to lead resistance against data centers

For years, artificial intelligence has been presented as one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century. However, behind the advances in chatbots, automation systems, and generative models, there is a gigantic infrastructure that rarely appears in public discussions: data centers.

Now, one of the best-known environmental activists in the United States wants to draw attention precisely to this less visible side of the digital revolution. Erin Brockovich, whose story inspired the famous film starring Julia Roberts, has launched an online platform to monitor the construction of new data centers throughout the United States.

According to her, many communities only discover that a large technological project will be installed near their homes when construction is already well underway.

The initiative is called Brockovich Data Center and gathers information on existing projects, ongoing construction, and future planned data centers in the United States.

The goal is to offer transparency to residents and local authorities about a rapidly growing industry driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services.

Since the platform's launch in April 2026, thousands of people have submitted information and reports about projects near their communities.

For Brockovich, the problem is not only technological but also democratic. According to the activist, the population should not be the last to know about projects capable of profoundly transforming the environment in which they live.

Although they have existed for decades, data centers have entered a new phase of expansion with the explosive growth of artificial intelligence.

These facilities house thousands of servers responsible for processing, storing, and distributing information. The continuous operation of this equipment requires enormous amounts of electricity and sophisticated cooling systems.

It is precisely at this point that the main criticisms arise.

Experts and environmental organizations warn that a single data center can consume energy equivalent to that of a small city. In addition, many projects depend on large volumes of water to keep their equipment cool.

In some regions of India, residents have reported difficulties accessing water after the installation of these structures. According to reports released by environmental organizations, communities have begun to receive water supply for limited periods of the day due to the growing demand for water. Impacts that go beyond energy...Concerns are not limited to electricity and water consumption.

Critics also point to the increase in electronic waste production. As servers need to be constantly updated to keep up with technological evolution, large quantities of equipment end up being discarded after only a few years of use.

Another frequently cited problem is noise pollution. Ventilation and cooling systems operate continuously, generating noise that can affect both residents and local wildlife.

From an economic point of view, the benefits are also questioned. Although investments often reach billions of dollars, data centers tend to employ relatively few people after the construction phase.

Many facilities occupy areas equivalent to dozens of football fields, but operate with fewer than one hundred permanent employees.

Where expansion is most intense...The United States leads the number of data centers in the world, with approximately 5,400 facilities in operation.

Following are countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Canada, France, Australia, the Netherlands, and Russia.

The trend, however, is for accelerated growth. Thousands of new projects are planned for the coming years, especially in rural areas.

In Asia, countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are rapidly expanding their investments. In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are also heavily investing in the sector.

In Europe, the Frankfurt region in Germany remains one of the largest global hubs for the industry.

Communities are beginning to react... The advancement of this infrastructure has provoked resistance in different parts of the world.

In the United States, some states are already discussing or implementing temporary moratoriums to slow down new construction while they study its impacts.

Similar cases have emerged in Ireland, the Netherlands, and several Latin American countries.

In Chile, environmental groups managed to block a project linked to artificial intelligence in 2024. In Brazil, local movements are also beginning to question new ventures, especially in the Northeast region, considered strategic for the sector's expansion.

In Germany, the American company EdgeConneX recently abandoned an energy project associated with a data center after facing opposition from the local population and municipal authorities.

The debate raised by Erin Brockovich highlights an increasingly relevant issue: every technological innovation has a physical and environmental infrastructure behind it.

As artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life, the need to discuss the energy, water, and social costs that sustain this transformation also grows.

For Brockovich, the solution lies not in halting technological advancement, but in ensuring transparency, public participation, and proper planning. After all, while millions of people use AI tools daily, few know what is being built to make it all possible.

mundophone