AI boom COLLIDES with local data center opposition

• 75 data center projects, valued at $130 billion, were blocked or delayed in Q1 2026 due to local backlash.
• Alex Epstein advocates for data centers, stating they are crucial for the 'rise of AI' and providing 'abundant intelligence' to everyone.
• He argues that concerns like water usage, noise, and power consumption are solvable, and that increasing power generation for data centers could even lower electricity prices.

The discussion highlights increasing local opposition to data center projects, with 75 projects worth $130 billion blocked or delayed in Q1 2026. Alex Epstein argues there's a moral and economic imperative for data centers, comparing current resistance to past opposition to fossil fuels, and asserts that perceived problems are solvable, while the benefits of AI-driven intelligence are immense for society.