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Looks like Dr. Phil is going to be Ernie Pyle of the Greenland invasion? Then, the anti-data center Butlerian Jihad has spread to Mark's home county amidst the impending use of eminent domain to build transmission lines, which is important so the economy can support the vital AI-dogs-making-podcasts sector. After that, a lot of Republicans seem to be determined to lose very winnable elections just so Trump can declare them fraudulent.This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% at https://www.betterhelp.com/skews This episode of weekly skews is brought to you by Quince. Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to https://www.quince.com/skew for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://www.zbiotics.com/SKEW now. You'll get 15% off your first order when you use SKEW at checkout
As Scott-Free August rolls on, Kara is joined by "Hard Fork" co-hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton to break down Mark Zuckerberg's latest AI manifesto, and Meta's push to catch up in the AI race. Then, platforms crack down on AI slop, new details emerge about OpenAI's hockey puck-sized device, and data center backlash intensifies. Plus, Kevin and Casey discuss their post-"Hard Fork" future, and have a special request for Kara. Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel.Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial.Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.socialFollow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast.Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email Pivot@voxmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tonight on The Last Word: An Iranian assassination threat reportedly forced Donald Trump to leave Turkey in secret. Also, Trump pressures Jeanine Pirro to revisit the Reflecting Pool case. Plus, an appeals court halts Trump's $600 million White House ballroom. And a Pennsylvania Democrat highlights data centers in a new political ad. Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Andrew Weissmann, and Mayor Paige Cognetti join Lawrence O'Donnell. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Blue America is gone, and the national government is too big to save and irretrievable. The future of the conservative movement isn't in Washington — it's in your back yard. Today I explain why the ultimate battleground for American culture and liberty has shifted to the local level. The uniparty and corporate elite are quietly transforming our communities through three major avenues: the expansion of foreign-funded mosques, the rise of the Flock automated license plate reader surveillance state, and the explosive, government-subsidized growth of AI data centers. Plus, I offer mild optimism mixed with concern about the recent vaccine news, Fauci's unredacted text messages, and why the establishment GOP's primary endorsements are alienating the true grassroots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The explosive growth of data centers is creating a surprising surge in demand for workforce housing near construction and operation sites. This under-the-radar connection between AI infrastructure and real estate markets opens up investment angles most people haven't considered.Today's Stocks & Topics: Medtronic plc (MDT), Market Wrap, UWM Holdings Corporation (UWMC), Valero Energy Corporation (VLO), How to Read the Charts, Target Corporation (TGT), Data Centers, Housing, and the Hidden Real Estate Play in the AI Boom, Retirement Account, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV), Gold, Roblox Corporation (RBLX), Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL), Credit Markets.Our Sponsors:* Check out Anthropic and use my code Claude.ai/invest for a great deal: https://www.anthropic.com* Check out Quince and use my code quince.com/INVEST for a great deal: https://www.quince.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Plus: Anthropic is meeting with potential investors ahead of its planned IPO. And Intel is increasing its stock offering to raise $20 billion. Danny Lewis hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Up until last year, construction workers were not in high demand. The data center construction boom has been changing that. Wage growth in the sector is outpacing the rest of the labor market. But the benefits of that growth are relatively limited. This morning, we'll dig in. Plus, President Trump is extending his waiver of the Jones Act to counteract oil disruptions, and the demand for EVs has risen alongside higher gas prices.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Stories featured in this episode:Dealers are paying more for used EVs and smaller cars as gas prices stay highHow data center construction is affecting the labor market
This Week In Startups is made possible by: Every.io https://every.io NetSuite https://NetSuite.ai/TWIST YSecurity https://YSecurity.io/TWIST Today's show: *Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg published a 6,500 word essay about the future of AI, and Jason thinks it's his smartest PR move in years. The thinkpiece, "The Future is for Everyone: The Path to a Positive AI Future," arrives alongside a new open-weight Meta model — Muse Glimmer — and the promise of an open-weight version of Muse Spark 1.2 to come. Zuckerberg's clearly pitching an "abundance" narrative, promising the American public untold benefits from AI technology — everything from a PhD-level tutor for every student to scientific breakthroughs, personal assistants, and beyond — all for the low low cost of not banning new data centers. Do our hosts think everyday voters will take this deal? PLUS X retires its revenue sharing program, the CLARITY Act misses a key pre-recess vote, what can we do to stop widespread AI-powered community college cheating, and some of the podcasting positions for which LAUNCH is hiring. Relevant Links Meta: "The Future is for Everyone": https://about.fb.com/news/2026/08/the-future-is-for-everyone/ Meta: "Introducing Muse Glimmer": https://research.meta.ai/blog/introducing-muse-glimmer-open-agentic-model MS Now: "Kevin O'Leary wants to atone for his data center sins": https://www.ms.now/news/kevin-oleary-wants-to-atone-for-his-data-center-sins "The Social Reckoning" teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM4LkaXwGuY X: Original Content Rewards Program: https://help.x.com/en/using-x/original-content-rewards TechCrunch: Nikita Bier steps down as X's head of product: https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/05/nikita-bier-steps-down-as-xs-head-of-product/ Congress.gov: H.R. 3633 - Digital Asset Market Clarity Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3633/text Politico: "Crypto faces a setback in the Senate": https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/07/delays-imperil-senate-crypto-bill-01029817 NYT: "AI Agents are Taking Entire Online Courses for Cheating Students": https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/us/ai-cheating-online-degrees.html Inside Higher Ed: "Brown Professor Suspects Majority of His Class Used AI to Cheat": https://www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty/learning-assessment/2026/07/08/brown-professor-suspects-most-his-class-used-ai-cheat Podnews: Spotify's Skip Ahead ad skip test: https://podnews.net/article/spotify-threat-ad-skipping Tommy Vietor X post on Spotify: https://x.com/TVietor08/status/2085073214968037428?s=20 JJ Smith SF "open drug market" video: https://x.com/war24182236/status/2086839186137710724 Timestamps: 0:00 Why Zuck thinks the future is open source 2:26 Meta's roadmap: personal assistants and beyond 9:21 Every.io - For all of your incorporation, banking, payroll, benefits, accounting, taxes or other back-office administration needs, visit https://every.io 20:22 Netsuite - For the first time ever, you can try NetSuite Next for free. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, go to https://NetSuite.ai/TWIST 27:43 How to win the data center argument 29:32 YSecurity - The on-demand security team for startups. Need enterprise-grade security without hiring a $400k CISO? YSecurity gives you 40+ expert engineers, matched to exactly what you need, by the hour, with your first six hours completely free. Go to https://YSecurity.io/TWIST 39:24 X intros Original Content Rewards 51:58 The CLARITY Act faces new setbacks 1:00:46 AI agents are taking students' tests for them 1:09:37 LAUNCH is hiring! Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp Follow Lon: X: https://x.com/lons Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis Check out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/ Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
Up until last year, construction workers were not in high demand. The data center construction boom has been changing that. Wage growth in the sector is outpacing the rest of the labor market. But the benefits of that growth are relatively limited. This morning, we'll dig in. Plus, President Trump is extending his waiver of the Jones Act to counteract oil disruptions, and the demand for EVs has risen alongside higher gas prices.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Stories featured in this episode:Dealers are paying more for used EVs and smaller cars as gas prices stay highHow data center construction is affecting the labor market
Rep. Alex Valdez is coming up on the term limit for his stint as the House District 5 representative, and he's looking back on some of the highs and lows of his time under the gold dome of the Capitol. He joins guest host Adrian Felix to discuss some of his proudest moments, his regrettable votes, and what's next for him. The two break down the “DSA takeover” of the left, as well as the future of the graduated income tax ballot initiative. Plus, Rep. Valdez shares some words of wisdom for his expected replacement, Justine Sandoval, and also well wishes for outgoing at-large Council member Sarah Parady. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member What will you remember from Rep. Valdez's time in office? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 If you enjoyed this interview with Lauren Howe, the Healthy Food for Denver's Kids Program Supervisor, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 11th episode: Chalat Hatten Blue Sky Denver Health Regional Air Quality Council Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Some of the world's biggest banks and investment firms have partnered with the chip giant to invest in artificial intelligence infrastructure.The money from the likes of Goldman Sachs, BlackRock and KKR will go towards Nvidia's own projects and those being built by its partners.Meanwhile, Trump Media, the company behind Donald Trump's Truth Social platform, has revealed that more than 10 customers have paid up to $100,000 each to use a controversial service that offers faster access to posts on the site.
The agency dropped a proposal that would have made it easier for data centers to discharge their wastewater into fresh water.
Aug. 10, 2026: 8am — New Mexico AG sues over access to Epstein records To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In Health Hot Take #2, Dr. Will Cole and Andrea go deep on something generating real alarm — not just on social media, but in town halls across the country. AI data centers: what they're emitting, what they're consuming, and what they're doing to the communities around them. They also pull back the curtain on the philosophical movement driving AI acceleration — from 19th century Russian philosopher Nikolai Fyodorov to Nick Land's dark enlightenment and the documented connections to key Silicon Valley figures. Plus: the practical EMF mitigation steps everyone can take, how to help bees survive a changing world, and why this is ultimately a call to be informed, empowered, and present. For all links mentioned in this episode, visit www.drwillcole.com/podcast.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Sponsors:Take the first step and learn at a pace that works for you. Visit WaldenU.edu.Use code WILLCOLE at puori.com/WILLCOLE to get 32% off your first Puori Grass-fed Whey Protein order when you start a subscription.Use code BEINGWELL at Monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.Head to BIOPTIMIZERS.COM/AOBW and use code WILLCOLE for 15% off your orderUse code willcole at aurahouse.com for 10% off your first order. Completely worth it.Use the links in my show notes to check your registration, get registered, or receive election reminders. You can also visit vote.online or @vote on Instagram for more information.Check Your Registration - https://tools.vote.online/embeds/check-your-registration?partnerId=cbc1e590 Get Election Reminders - https://tools.vote.online/embeds/get-election-reminders?partnerId=cbc1e590 Register To Vote - https://tools.vote.online/embeds/register-to-vote?partnerId=cbc1e590 Pledge To Register - https://tools.vote.online/embeds/pledge-to-register?partnerId=cbc1e590Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Iran names their price to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as Trump says "We are low-keying it" with Iran. Netanyahu REJECTS Trump's Board of Peace plan for Gaza. Steve Yates joins us to react to a UK/China bombshell security scandal, similar vulnerabilities in U.S. and how the opposition to data centers resembles an "astroturf" campaign.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…Alliance Defending Freedomhttps://JoinADF.com/DanaAlliance Defending Freedom is on the front lines defending the freedoms and values that matter. Join the fight today. Byrnahttps://Byrna.com/DanaTrusted by law enforcement, security professionals, and everyday Americans—defend yourself and your family with Byrna.HumanNhttps://Humann.com/DanaGet the limited edition Watermelon Flavor and find out how to get a FREE 30-day supply before they sell out.Patriot Mobilehttp://PatriotMobile.com/DANAVisit online or call 972-PATRIOT and use promo code DANA for a FREE month of service.Relief Factorhttps://www.ReliefFactor.comYou could be the next person sharing a Relief Factor success story. Get started today with the 3-Week QuickStart for only $17.76.Ghost Bedhttps://GhostBed.com/DANAGhostBed has the cooling luxury mattress you need for the best summer sleep. Use code DANA for an extra 10% off sitewide.Webroothttps://Webroot.com/DanaSave 60% off Webroot. Protect your devices. Protect your family. Protect your peace of mind. Live a better digital life with Webroot. Noble Goldhttps://NobleGoldInvestments.com/DanaIf you want to see how physical gold and silver could fit into your portfolio, download Noble Gold Investments FREE Wealth Protection KitSubscribe today and stay in the loop on all things news with The Dana Show. Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramXMore InfoWebsite
For over 125 years, Farmers Mutual Telephone Company (FMTC) has helped connect rural Iowa—first with telephones, then cable television, cellular service, broadband internet, and now preparing for what may become agriculture's next major infrastructure investment: AI computing. In this episode, Kevin shares how a small rural telephone company evolved into a modern broadband provider and why Iowa's independent telecommunications companies have been uniquely positioned to bring fiber internet to rural communities long before much of the country caught up. He explains how fiber optic networks work, why broadband is becoming just as essential as electricity, and why nearly every modern technology—from cellular service to Starlink—ultimately depends on fiber somewhere along the journey. The conversation then turns toward one of the fastest-growing topics in technology: artificial intelligence. Kevin explains why AI is creating unprecedented demand for computing power, what massive data centers mean for energy and infrastructure, and why he believes the future isn't giant facilities consuming thousands of acres—but rather distributed micro data centers that could fit on a single lot while serving customers around the world. The hosts also tackle concerns many farmers have about large data centers, including land use, energy consumption, and local economic impact. Kevin discusses how smaller AI computing facilities could create new opportunities without removing productive farmland while giving farmers more control over their own data. The discussion explores whether producers could someday "farm data" just like they market grain—owning, storing, and deciding when and how to monetize one of their operation's fastest-growing assets. Along the way, you'll also hear: How the internet actually reaches your farm Why symmetrical upload and download speeds matter The differences between fiber, cellular, and Starlink The future of precision agriculture and AI Why protecting farm data may become just as important as protecting grain in the bin Whether fiber optics will ever be replaced If you've ever wondered how technology is reshaping agriculture—or where rural America fits into the AI revolution—this episode offers a fascinating look at what's coming next. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Mike Thompson, Kansas State Senator, On Data Centers | 8-10-26See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mundo's KC Royals Stadium News, Data Center Drama in KS and AOC for Prez?! | 8-10-26See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Autonomous AIs are hacking, collaborating, and outpacing human defenders, raising urgent questions about what happens when the machines start breaking into each other (and potentially us). Plus, a Tucson coder is using AI to reinvent local journalism, exposing how automation could fill the gaps left by shrinking newsrooms. Tucson Daily Brief uses AI to revive local news coverage Data centers boom in Arizona, with harsh environmental impact Amazon's Texas data center to run on polluting natural gas Nuclear and solar debates for sustainable data center power Black Hat and DEF CON: Security pros, hackers, and mohawks OpenAI's runaway AI hack at Black Hat stuns security community AI agents collaborate, evade controls, and break into real-world systems Industry struggles to regulate AI, and defense lags behind automated attackers White House, Congress, and AI execs clash over regulation proposals AI "kill switch" and model bans: pipe dreams in a global race Google's DeepMind shakeup, Demis Hassabis moves upstairs Jeff Dean and key talent exit Google for self-improving AI startup Google, Meta, Apple: AI brain drain and market repercussions Phones stagnate as hardware innovation slows, AI devours chip supply OpenAI teams with Jony Ive on strange new AI-first device Smart glasses privacy backlash and DuckDuckGo's tongue-in-cheek sunglasses Meta fined $942 million by New Mexico court for youth harms Apple sues OpenAI over alleged stolen secrets, countersuits ensue UK revives "Snooper's Charter" for backdoors, Apple fights in secret court License plate readers spark local backlash and privacy activism U.S. water systems face cyber sabotage as critical infrastructure weakens Bending Spoons buys Airtable, fueling SaaS layoffs and AI data grabs Nicholas DeLeon uses AI tools to get fit NASA hacks keep aging Voyager probes alive for another year Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Iain Thomson and Nicholas De Leon Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: bitwarden.com/twit NetSuite.AI/TWIT ZipRecruiter.com/twit adaptivesecurity.com superhuman.com
Autonomous AIs are hacking, collaborating, and outpacing human defenders, raising urgent questions about what happens when the machines start breaking into each other (and potentially us). Plus, a Tucson coder is using AI to reinvent local journalism, exposing how automation could fill the gaps left by shrinking newsrooms. Tucson Daily Brief uses AI to revive local news coverage Data centers boom in Arizona, with harsh environmental impact Amazon's Texas data center to run on polluting natural gas Nuclear and solar debates for sustainable data center power Black Hat and DEF CON: Security pros, hackers, and mohawks OpenAI's runaway AI hack at Black Hat stuns security community AI agents collaborate, evade controls, and break into real-world systems Industry struggles to regulate AI, and defense lags behind automated attackers White House, Congress, and AI execs clash over regulation proposals AI "kill switch" and model bans: pipe dreams in a global race Google's DeepMind shakeup, Demis Hassabis moves upstairs Jeff Dean and key talent exit Google for self-improving AI startup Google, Meta, Apple: AI brain drain and market repercussions Phones stagnate as hardware innovation slows, AI devours chip supply OpenAI teams with Jony Ive on strange new AI-first device Smart glasses privacy backlash and DuckDuckGo's tongue-in-cheek sunglasses Meta fined $942 million by New Mexico court for youth harms Apple sues OpenAI over alleged stolen secrets, countersuits ensue UK revives "Snooper's Charter" for backdoors, Apple fights in secret court License plate readers spark local backlash and privacy activism U.S. water systems face cyber sabotage as critical infrastructure weakens Bending Spoons buys Airtable, fueling SaaS layoffs and AI data grabs Nicholas DeLeon uses AI tools to get fit NASA hacks keep aging Voyager probes alive for another year Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Iain Thomson and Nicholas De Leon Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: bitwarden.com/twit NetSuite.AI/TWIT ZipRecruiter.com/twit adaptivesecurity.com superhuman.com
Autonomous AIs are hacking, collaborating, and outpacing human defenders, raising urgent questions about what happens when the machines start breaking into each other (and potentially us). Plus, a Tucson coder is using AI to reinvent local journalism, exposing how automation could fill the gaps left by shrinking newsrooms. Tucson Daily Brief uses AI to revive local news coverage Data centers boom in Arizona, with harsh environmental impact Amazon's Texas data center to run on polluting natural gas Nuclear and solar debates for sustainable data center power Black Hat and DEF CON: Security pros, hackers, and mohawks OpenAI's runaway AI hack at Black Hat stuns security community AI agents collaborate, evade controls, and break into real-world systems Industry struggles to regulate AI, and defense lags behind automated attackers White House, Congress, and AI execs clash over regulation proposals AI "kill switch" and model bans: pipe dreams in a global race Google's DeepMind shakeup, Demis Hassabis moves upstairs Jeff Dean and key talent exit Google for self-improving AI startup Google, Meta, Apple: AI brain drain and market repercussions Phones stagnate as hardware innovation slows, AI devours chip supply OpenAI teams with Jony Ive on strange new AI-first device Smart glasses privacy backlash and DuckDuckGo's tongue-in-cheek sunglasses Meta fined $942 million by New Mexico court for youth harms Apple sues OpenAI over alleged stolen secrets, countersuits ensue UK revives "Snooper's Charter" for backdoors, Apple fights in secret court License plate readers spark local backlash and privacy activism U.S. water systems face cyber sabotage as critical infrastructure weakens Bending Spoons buys Airtable, fueling SaaS layoffs and AI data grabs Nicholas DeLeon uses AI tools to get fit NASA hacks keep aging Voyager probes alive for another year Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Iain Thomson and Nicholas De Leon Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: bitwarden.com/twit NetSuite.AI/TWIT ZipRecruiter.com/twit adaptivesecurity.com superhuman.com
Autonomous AIs are hacking, collaborating, and outpacing human defenders, raising urgent questions about what happens when the machines start breaking into each other (and potentially us). Plus, a Tucson coder is using AI to reinvent local journalism, exposing how automation could fill the gaps left by shrinking newsrooms. Tucson Daily Brief uses AI to revive local news coverage Data centers boom in Arizona, with harsh environmental impact Amazon's Texas data center to run on polluting natural gas Nuclear and solar debates for sustainable data center power Black Hat and DEF CON: Security pros, hackers, and mohawks OpenAI's runaway AI hack at Black Hat stuns security community AI agents collaborate, evade controls, and break into real-world systems Industry struggles to regulate AI, and defense lags behind automated attackers White House, Congress, and AI execs clash over regulation proposals AI "kill switch" and model bans: pipe dreams in a global race Google's DeepMind shakeup, Demis Hassabis moves upstairs Jeff Dean and key talent exit Google for self-improving AI startup Google, Meta, Apple: AI brain drain and market repercussions Phones stagnate as hardware innovation slows, AI devours chip supply OpenAI teams with Jony Ive on strange new AI-first device Smart glasses privacy backlash and DuckDuckGo's tongue-in-cheek sunglasses Meta fined $942 million by New Mexico court for youth harms Apple sues OpenAI over alleged stolen secrets, countersuits ensue UK revives "Snooper's Charter" for backdoors, Apple fights in secret court License plate readers spark local backlash and privacy activism U.S. water systems face cyber sabotage as critical infrastructure weakens Bending Spoons buys Airtable, fueling SaaS layoffs and AI data grabs Nicholas DeLeon uses AI tools to get fit NASA hacks keep aging Voyager probes alive for another year Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Iain Thomson and Nicholas De Leon Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: bitwarden.com/twit NetSuite.AI/TWIT ZipRecruiter.com/twit adaptivesecurity.com superhuman.com
Tim discusses Perez Hilton's disturbing Tik Tok livestream, Donald Trump's continued threats against Iran and how his only way forward is to lie, why social media isn't fun anymore, and a story about a Georgia family losing their home to an AI data center. Become a Friend Of The Show https://bit.ly/BecomeAFriendOfTheShow and get access to weekly bonus audio episodes of the podcast!Live Dates
SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-7-2026.Kevin Frazier addresses the growing misinformation surrounding data centers, particularly in rural America where they are often viewed as threats to water and power. He argues that these facilities provide massive tax base contributions and high-paying construction jobs, yet are often rejected by the communities that need them most. Frazier highlights New York's moratorium on large data centers as a counterproductive move that pushes infrastructure to less suitable locations. He proposes a "cap and trade" system to prevent states from free-riding on the national digital infrastructure. Comparing data centers to the interstate highway system, Frazier emphasizes that the physical "cloud" is essential for the modern economy. He calls for Congressional action to codify a "ratepayer protection pledge," ensuring that tech companies, rather than consumers, bear the costs of grid upgrades. (8)
Kevin Frazier addresses the growing misinformation surrounding data centers, particularly in rural America where they are often viewed as threats to water and power. He argues that these facilities provide massive tax base contributions and high-paying construction jobs, yet are often rejected by the communities that need them most. Frazier highlights New York's moratorium on large data centers as a counterproductive move that pushes infrastructure to less suitable locations. He proposes a "cap and trade" system to prevent states from free-riding on the national digital infrastructure. Comparing data centers to the interstate highway system, Frazier emphasizes that the physical "cloud" is essential for the modern economy. He calls for Congressional action to codify a "ratepayer protection pledge," ensuring that tech companies, rather than consumers, bear the costs of grid upgrades. (8)
4pm - VIDEO GUEST - DONALD KIMBALL - WASHINGTON POLICY CENTER - HOW DATA CENTERS ACTUALLY REDUCE ENERGY COSTS // Washington Policy Center Communication Manager, Tech Writer and Free Market Evangelist // Donald Kimball: To make electricity affordable, don’t ban data centers. Reform energy regulations. // Point: Data Center Moratorium Would Be a Gift to China // Survey reveals what it takes to be a Pacific Northwest ‘local’ // Kalshi and Polymarket bets on clinical trials criticized as 'ghastly' // Kalshi Defends Plan to Bet on Lives of Cancer Patients
Silicon Valley wants the land, the water, the electricity—and apparently doesn't want you asking questions. Iowa Rep. Cindy Golding exposes how massive AI data centers are being pushed into rural communities through secrecy, tax incentives, political pressure, and sweetheart deals, while residents could be left paying for the infrastructure and dealing with the damage long after the construction boom disappears. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code “KNIGHT” For high quality made in America products go to HomeSteadProducts.shop and use promo code “Knight” for 10% off your purchases Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.
Silicon Valley wants the land, the water, the electricity—and apparently doesn't want you asking questions. Iowa Rep. Cindy Golding exposes how massive AI data centers are being pushed into rural communities through secrecy, tax incentives, political pressure, and sweetheart deals, while residents could be left paying for the infrastructure and dealing with the damage long after the construction boom disappears. Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code “KNIGHT” For high quality made in America products go to HomeSteadProducts.shop and use promo code “Knight” for 10% off your purchases Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.
Kevin O'Leary Interview: Data Centers, Midterms and Mr. Wonderful Nickname | 8-7-26See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does July's weak jobs report change the Fed's rate path? OpenAI is pausing the rollout of its upcoming model due to “cyber capabilities.” Plus, the data center economy and the three sectors our market guest is bullish on because if it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Federal changes to HeadStart under President Donald Trump could make the early education program less effective. Democratic candidate for governor Francesca Hong is facing a controversy over her stance on Thanksgiving. And, hear how data centers and other economic issues are playing out in the primary races for governor.
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss what Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan primary win signals about the future of the Democratic Party, Todd Blanche's march toward confirmation as attorney general and how opposition to AI data centers swiftly became a bipartisan political fight.Listener chatter from Francis Creighton in Bethesda, Maryland: UK Parliament: Chiltern Hundreds and the Manor of Northstead; Martin Spychal for History of Parliament: How does an MP resign? The Chiltern Hundreds & the Manor of NorthsteadFor this week's Slate Plus bonus episode, Gabfest discusses the political fallout surrounding Rep. Max Miller and what the episode says about today's Republican Party. In the latest Gabfest Reads, John Dickerson interviews Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about their new book Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump. Drawing on extensive reporting from inside the White House, they explore how Trump's second term differs radically from his first, from his decision-making process to the people surrounding him and his relationship with power, money, and the presidency itself. Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Kevin Bendis Research by Nora MosesYou can find the full Political Gabfest show pages here. Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen.Need to set up your Slate Plus feed? If you subscribed through Slate.com, check out our FAQ at slate.com/podcastfaqs for easy instructions. Members subscribed via Apple Podcasts get automatic access—no setup required. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 6, 2026: 7am — GOP looks to frame Democrats as communists To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss what Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan primary win signals about the future of the Democratic Party, Todd Blanche's march toward confirmation as attorney general and how opposition to AI data centers swiftly became a bipartisan political fight.Listener chatter from Francis Creighton in Bethesda, Maryland: UK Parliament: Chiltern Hundreds and the Manor of Northstead; Martin Spychal for History of Parliament: How does an MP resign? The Chiltern Hundreds & the Manor of NorthsteadFor this week's Slate Plus bonus episode, Gabfest discusses the political fallout surrounding Rep. Max Miller and what the episode says about today's Republican Party. In the latest Gabfest Reads, John Dickerson interviews Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about their new book Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump. Drawing on extensive reporting from inside the White House, they explore how Trump's second term differs radically from his first, from his decision-making process to the people surrounding him and his relationship with power, money, and the presidency itself. Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Kevin Bendis Research by Nora MosesYou can find the full Political Gabfest show pages here. Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On August 1st, 2026, a complex of fires started in Spokane, Washington that would become the state's most destructive fires in history. Over 700 structures have been lost and thousands of acres burned as high winds fed the flames over the weekend. Nearly as quickly as the flames ignited, so did the conspiracies online. Today, Travis takes Jake and Julian through the conspiracies being circulated about the fires. Corey chimes in on location. Spokane County leaders held unknown discussions with data center developer seeking massive facility on West Plainshttps://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/jul/24/spokane-county-leaders-held-unknown-discussions-wi/ A company proposing a massive West Plains data center has little history, spurring outcry from concerned residentshttps://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/aug/02/company-proposing-massive-west-plains-data-center-/ Police Affidavit - State v. Aaron Forrest Farinacci https://cp.spokanecounty.org/courtdocumentviewer/imageviewers/SCDocumentViewer.aspx?docid=12708182&caseNumber=2611023532&subNum=2.0&pageNum=7 Subscribe for $5 a month to get all the premium episodes: www.patreon.com/qaa Check out our new podcast series network Cursed Media! All episodes of Spectral Voyager Season 2 are out now! Binge the entirety of Truly Tradly Deeply by Annie Kelly and Megan Kelly as well as Science in Transition by Liv Agar and Spencer Barrows: cursedmedia.net Produced by Liv Agar & Corey Klotz. Theme by Nick Sena. Additional music by Pontus Berghe and Jake Rockatansky. Theme Vocals by THEY/LIVE (instagram.com/theyylivve / sptfy.com/QrDm). Cover Art by Pedro Correa: (pedrocorrea.com) qaapodcast.com QAA was known as the QAnon Anonymous podcast.
Steve Yates and Gordon Chang discuss the proposed ban on Chinese components in U.S. data centers, warning that these devices allow for foreign sabotage of critical infrastructure. Yates notes that the CCP often fuels "astroturf" protests in rural America to block data center construction and slow U.S. AI development. Regarding Taiwan, Yates reports that security cooperation is becoming more transparent, moving away from "strategic ambiguity" to reassure allies and deter China. However, he notes a delay in a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan, suggesting that some in Washington still prioritize "walking on eggshells" to preserve the relationship with Xi Jinping. Yates argues for a shift toward helping partners buy and use their own deterrent capabilities. He concludes that U.S. leadership in compute power is a vital strategic advantage that China is actively trying to undermine through influence operations. (5)
Our guest today is Gaby Del Valle, a policy reporter here at The Verge, and we're discussing the growing backlash against AI data centers. Gaby recently reported a fantastic piece about Hernando County, Florida, where last month the county commission unanimously approved a year-long moratorium on data center construction. So I wanted Gaby to talk me through what these protests look like on the ground, from voters whose party affiliations have typically aligned them with big business. Links: Right-wingers protesting data centers have a lot in common with the left | The Verge No data centers in my backyard | Jasmine Sun Who's afraid of the big, bad GPU? | The Verge NY becomes the first state to enact a data center moratorium | The Verge The fight against AI data centers is just beginning | The Verge Florida gives millions in tax breaks to data centers under DeSantis-backed law | Tampa Bay Times Subscribe to The Verge to access the ad-free version of Decoder! Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Decoder is produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt and edited by Ursa Wright. Our supervising producer is Greg Ott, and our editorial director is Kevin McShane. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Stay informed on current events, visit www.NaturalNews.com - FDA's Approval of mRNA-Based Flu Shot (0:11) - Mechanism and Risks of mRNA Vaccines (3:56) - Impact on Elderly and Nutritional Deficiencies (7:33) - Historical Context and Ethical Concerns (11:01) - Depopulation Agenda and Genetic Integrity (20:27) - Survival Strategies and DNA Repair (27:06) - Energy Crisis and Water Scarcity (43:19) - Impact of Data Centers on Local Communities (61:34) - Competitive Escalation and Tax Incentives (64:28) - Public Health and Environmental Impact (70:29) - AMD's Impact on AI Performance and Market Potential (71:53) - Proposed AI Server and Legal Considerations (78:00) - Surveillance State and Data Center Expansion (81:33) - Water Consumption by Data Centers (85:28) - Local Community Action Against Data Centers (94:58) - Economic Bubble and Future of Data Centers (100:55) - Human Ingenuity and Decentralized Solutions (107:07) - Promotion of Above Phone and Brighteon AI (107:45) - Introduction to the UNA and Asset Protection (129:34) Watch more independent videos at http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport ▶️ Support our mission by shopping at the Health Ranger Store - https://www.healthrangerstore.com ▶️ Check out exclusive deals and special offers at https://rangerdeals.com ▶️ Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html Watch more exclusive videos here:
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss what Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan primary win signals about the future of the Democratic Party, Todd Blanche's march toward confirmation as attorney general and how opposition to AI data centers swiftly became a bipartisan political fight.Listener chatter from Francis Creighton in Bethesda, Maryland: UK Parliament: Chiltern Hundreds and the Manor of Northstead; Martin Spychal for History of Parliament: How does an MP resign? The Chiltern Hundreds & the Manor of NorthsteadFor this week's Slate Plus bonus episode, Gabfest discusses the political fallout surrounding Rep. Max Miller and what the episode says about today's Republican Party. In the latest Gabfest Reads, John Dickerson interviews Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about their new book Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump. Drawing on extensive reporting from inside the White House, they explore how Trump's second term differs radically from his first, from his decision-making process to the people surrounding him and his relationship with power, money, and the presidency itself. Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Kevin Bendis Research by Nora MosesYou can find the full Political Gabfest show pages here. Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
onstruction spending was nearly flat in June, but the latest numbers reveal a market that's moving in two very different directions. In this episode, Kathy Fettke breaks down the newest U.S. Census Bureau data, why residential construction continues to slow, and how the AI boom is fueling record investment in data centers while much of the rest of the commercial market struggles. Find out what these trends could mean for real estate investors and where opportunities may be emerging. Learn more at www.NewsforInvestors.com Sources: https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-construction-spending-unexpectedly-falls-june-2026-08-03/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.census.gov/construction/c30/current/index.html
Kevin O'Leary, aka "Mr. Wonderful," joined us on the Guy Benson Show today with guest host Pete Mundo to discuss the latest on politics surrounding data centers. O'Leary, chairman of O'Leary Ventures and 5-time Emmy winner as Shark Tank's Mr. Wonderful, discussed why business leaders haven't done a good enough job promoting what "modern" data center technology looks like, and O'Leary also discussed the state of the economy and the pending economic boom when the war with Iran ends. Listen to the full interview with "Mr. Wonderful" below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chiefs Stadium to Lead Kansas Governor’s Race, Plus KC Turns Down Data Centers | 8-6-26See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In today's extra episode, Christina Darnell and Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” Here are some links to resources mentioned in today's episode: According to The Conversation, “A trove of recent articles bemoan the collapse in recreational reading among younger Americans, with COVID-related reading declines, artificial intelligence and social media often described as causes.” You can find the complete article here. John Stonestreet and Tim Padgett have done us a service by speaking out strongly against sports gambling, which has become a scourge on the nation and threatens to ruin fair play in sports. They write, “A recently released report shows a clear correlation between legalized gambling and gambling addiction. While this should surprise absolutely no one, there is further evidence that the explosion of legalized sports gambling was a bad idea.” All these factors may play a role, but a new article by the Institute for Family Studies suggests that the quality of relationships is a key factor. Laurie DeRose highlights the recent research indicating that people who want children are more likely to have them if they are in high-quality relationships. To hear Warren's recent conversation with Malcolm Guite, click here. Until next time, may God bless you.
New York just sued prediction market platform Kalshi, calling it an illegal gambling operation — even as sophisticated traders pour into these markets using AI bots and advanced data strategies. We examine what prediction markets tell us about information pricing and whether they belong in an investor's toolkit.Today's Stocks & Topics: Modine Manufacturing Company (MOD), Market Wrap, Matador Resources Company (MTDR), Global Financial System, Newmont Corporation (NEM), Are Prediction Markets Legal? The Kalshi Lawsuit and What It Means for Investors, Roth I-R-A, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD), Microchip Technology Incorporated (MCHP), abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Longer Dated Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCD), Data Centers.Our Sponsors:* Check out Anthropic and use my code Claude.ai/invest for a great deal: https://www.anthropic.com* Check out Chilipad and use my code INVEST for a great deal: https://sleep.me* Check out Quince and use my code quince.com/INVEST for a great deal: https://www.quince.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code INVEST20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Plus: a U.K. government-backed research institute finds AI models went rogue during routine tests. And new White House AI guidelines exempt U.S. open models from government review. Imani Moise hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribeState legislatures are writing data center rules faster than they can verify the demand forecasts underneath them. Fifteen states accounted for 80 percent of data center electricity demand in 2023, a single hyperscale campus can arrive as 15 to 20 percent of a utility's demand, and the transmission to serve it takes five to 15 years to build. On this episode of Volts, David Roberts works through Climate Cabinet's Taming Data Center Turmoil series with Saleem Chapman, who leads the group's electricity affordability policy work, on why Georgia's regulated utility, PJM's capacity market, and ERCOT's competitive market each left ratepayers holding the risk, and what a state can require before it approves a project, while the facility operates, and after the deal is done.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction02:49 – How Climate Cabinet came to the data center fight03:58 – Three things that make hyperscalers unlike past industrial loads07:51 – Warning signals: forecast opacity, gas dependency, unconditional subsidies13:44 – Siting near overburdened communities and the Memphis case15:34 – State preemption versus local control18:31 – The same failure pattern in Georgia, PJM, and ERCOT23:52 – Why not just ban data centers outright28:07 – The framework, and what to require before approval34:54 – While operating: real cost pricing and on-call load flexibility37:39 – Scenario-based planning and the utility incentive problem39:37 – After the deal: new and matched clean energy43:48 – Siting standards and performance-tied incentives50:27 – Existing facilities and the threat to build elsewhere55:41 – Which states are ahead, and step one for lawmakers
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The fight over AI data centers is accelerating—but concerns about power and water are only part of the story. NLW argues that the deeper issue is trust, agency and communities feeling that change is being imposed on them. In the headlines: the White House's secret AI testing regime, agents attacking real-world targets, a potential ban on Chinese data center components and SpaceX's first earnings report.AIDB's AI Summer Adventure: https://summeradventure.ai/Brought to you by:KPMG – Research from KPMG and the University of Texas at Austin shows the highest-impact AI users treat AI like a reasoning partner — and those skills can be taught at scale. Learn more at kpmg.com/us/SophisticatedHyperagent - Hire a fleet of always-on agents. New users get $1,000 in inference. hyperagent.com/aidailybriefRackspace Technology- One accountable partner to build, operate and run your full enterprise AI stack https://www.rackspace.com/Section - Section turns AI investment into workforce transformation and ROI - https://www.sectionai.com/Blitzy - Want to accelerate enterprise software development velocity by 5x? https://blitzy.com/AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - https://www.assemblyai.com/briefRobots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results https://robotsandpencils.com/The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Our Newsletter is BACK: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai
Data centers.They've been all over the news. Last month, protesters showed up in 125 cities across the country on a single Saturday to demonstrate against these structures, either proposed or completed.But are the politicians listening? We sit down for the second part of our data center deep dive. This time, we talk politics. Why have data centers become a political flashpoint so quickly? And who is calling the shots at the local, state, and federal level?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Head of US Public Policy Strategy Ariana Salvatore and US Thematic Strategist Michelle Weaver, alongside Senior Economist and Strategist in Morgan Stanley's Private Wealth Management Sarah Wolfe, examine the economics of the AI datacentre boom, the pushback and the policy implications.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Ariana Salvatore: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Ariana Salvatore, Head of Public Policy Research at Morgan Stanley. Michelle Weaver: I'm Michelle Weaver, U.S. Thematic and Equity Strategist. Sarah Wolfe: And I'm Sarah Wolfe, Senior Economist and Strategist with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Ariana Salvatore: Today: the politics, economics, and market implications of America's AI data center build-out. It's Tuesday, August 4th at 10am in New York. AI infrastructure spending is becoming a major force in the U.S. investment cycle. But as you've heard on this podcast in recent weeks, local resistance to data centers is growing, and projects worth hundreds of billions of dollars are being canceled or delayed. More than 300 local moratoria have passed since 2023, and restrictions now touch 40 states. Now, most are temporary pauses, not outright bans, but the community opposition is tangible. For investors, the key question is how these local pressures shape the broader build-out. So, I wanted to talk to you both because, Sarah, you've looked at this on the local level, and Michelle, you've been leading some of our thematic work on this topic. So, Sarah, maybe we'll start with what happens when a data center comes to town. How does a large project ripple through a local economy, especially when so much of the expensive hardware is imported? Sarah Wolfe: I think we need to look at the data center build-out from two lenses. First, at the national level, and then what's really happening at the local level, county by county. So, at the national level, the headline investment can actually overstate the contribution to GDP because a lot of the components that go into data centers – think chips, servers, networking equipment – most of that is imported. So, it's actually an offset in the GDP accounting.But when we analyze the AI build-out at a local level, we see that the town experiences the project very differently. A data center still needs a physical shell, concrete, steel, electricians, construction workers, and then the restaurants that feed the construction workers. So, the local multiplier depends on how much of that spending around the data center stays nearby. Workers are going to get paid, local suppliers win contracts, and nearby businesses will see more demand. And then importantly, governments may collect more property and business tax revenue. When we look at county-level research on the AI data center build-out, we do see positive effects on employment, business formation, wages, income, and tax returns. So, these data centers are significant. They do have significant multipliers. But we need to dig a little bit deeper and look at how it affects different counties. Ariana Salvatore: So, it sounds like there are some local economic benefits. How durable do you think those are? Sarah Wolfe: Some of the effects are durable and some aren't. The largest and most important effects come through employment in the near term. If we look at the construction phase of these projects, let's look at a data center that's 250,000 square foot, in Virginia. That supports more than 1,500 workers during construction. But then, if we look at what happens after construction is done, there's only about 50 full-time workers once it's operating. And I will say I think that's a high-end estimate. If you look at how many workers these data centers employ state by state, some numbers are 10, some numbers are 20, and some are 30 employees. So, 50 is maybe on the higher end. So, the bottom line is that the labor market multiplier actually fades after the facility comes online. What does persist, are the smaller share of data center processing jobs, ongoing supplier and service activity, and then importantly, of course, the property tax base. But even that fiscal benefit depends on how the incentive package is designed. If a locality, for example, grants a very large, long-lived sales or property tax exemption, it may give away much of the revenue that made the project attractive in the first place. So, the job story is real, but it's much more front-loaded. And then the tax revenue story is real too, but it really matters on how the locality negotiated the incentive package. Ariana Salvatore: So, it sounds like there are some benefits and some potential drawbacks. How do you think communities should judge whether a trade-off like that is worth it? Sarah Wolfe: I think communities should be asking this question of how much spending and tax revenue actually stays local after all the incentives? How many jobs remain after construction? Who pays for new generation transmission, water system, and roads? And who bears the spillovers through utility bills, housing costs, or land use? The evidence does suggest that data center growth can lift incomes and expand the tax base. But it also raises home prices. And as we know, it raises electricity prices as well. A typical AI data center may use as much electricity as 100,000 homes, so cost allocation is critical. The strongest agreements make benefits durable and costs explicit through transparent reporting, sunset dates or claw backs on incentives, infrastructure cost-sharing, and protections that keep the household from subsidizing this build-out. The test is really whether the community captures enough lasting value to justify the demands on land, power, water, housing, and public finances. Ariana Salvatore: Michelle, I want to bring you in here. The local picture that Sarah describes helped explain why the politics can be so uneven. How are moratoria and other local restrictions changing the pace and the location of the build-out, maybe on a national scale? Michelle Weaver: I think you have to think about just the different type of moratoria themselves even. So, we're not seeing them uniform across different states in what's been proposed.However, the majority of moratoria are a pause, not a[n] outright ban on construction. So, they might say, "Okay, we want one year," or "We want three years to do local impact studies and, and think about the way these data centers are going to impact communities." So, the primary risk is really to the pace of the build-out, and as more and more of these moratoria pop up, you have to start to think about how that could shift the geography and the location of where these data centers will ultimately be built. We are seeing a shift towards more data centers being placed in rural locations. This also has implications for the international data center build-out. You're seeing more and more of these data centers go up in Canada and in Australia to serve U.S. needs. Ariana Salvatore: The polling data show us that voters are increasingly skeptical of AI. Specifically, they're worried about electricity prices and local costs. How should investors read that concern? Michelle Weaver: Well, there's a couple things we have to unpack here. First is really around perception. So, in certain areas where you have both high data center activity as well as unregulated utility markets; yes, it's true, there is some of this raised cost ending up on consumer power bills from data center activity. But in other areas with unregulated utility markets and lower data center activity, you don't see the same link between consumer power bills and what's going on with data center electricity consumption. But perception is what really drives politics and given that this perception is becoming spread across different states with both regulated and unregulated utility markets, politicians are reacting to it. And the second thing this gets at is affordability. Consumers have been stressed by inflation for years now and elevated prices. And given that they think that data center costs are now winding up on their power bills, it's not surprising that you're seeing this big reaction, and that anything having to do with affordability has become a huge issue for voters. Ariana Salvatore: Translating that into how we think things evolve from here, what industry and financing trends do you think matter most going forward? Michelle Weaver: We recently identified the three main bottlenecks for the data center build-out as power, people, and politics. This whole episode has been about that third P, politics, but let's unpack power and people. On power, we still think there's a potential shortfall of around 38 gigawatts needed through 2028. So, power is going to remain a huge bottleneck, and as the politics layer gets placed on top of the power layer, you're seeing more and more of an issue there. And so, what that really argues for is for data centers to be off grid. That way they can say, "Okay, there's no way we can potentially impact consumer power bills if we're not even connected to the grid." The second P, people, is another big bottleneck, and we're seeing a very tough time for data centers to get skilled laborers. It's very hard to find electricians right now and other skilled laborers needed to set up these data centers. Ariana, that brings us to the policy debate. Why is data center opposition moving from town halls into state houses and Congress? And what does this mean for a conditional build-out? Ariana Salvatore: Yes, I think the points that you both touched on really explain why we're seeing this sort of pushback evolve, right?Local communities are concerned about their electricity prices. Again, we see that on more a regional than a national basis. They're concerned about quality-of-life concerns. They're concerned about the environmental impacts. And so, all of that has caused these efforts to sort of cross state lines. We see it in both Democrat-held state legislatures as well as Republican-held. So, it's definitely resonating with voters, and this is an issue that we think is going to be a key wedge issue into the midterm elections. It started to move into Congress rhetorically, but we still think something like a federal ban or a federal moratorium is very unlikely. And that's because we see a different incentive structure for lawmakers in Congress from the state and local level. Principally, I'm talking about the U.S.-China relationship. So, when you look at the geopolitical backdrop to this debate, there are certain things that you can't ignore. And one of those things is that the U.S. and China are locked in this race for AI supremacy at the moment. And I think federal lawmakers have more of an incentive to respond to those policy demands and those policy needs, meaning they want to keep facilitating the build-out.So that's why you're seeing the national level still relatively supportive of this build-out. We're seeing permitting reform. We're seeing Defense Production Act being leveraged by the president. We're seeing still an overall very favorable environment trying to unlock, sort of, that power bottleneck, for example. So that's kind of what brings us to this conditional build-out. Now, what does that mean? We think that the hyperscalers in these companies are going to have to offer some concession to local communities to facilitate the build-out. And that could be a number of things. I think it depends on the state's concern or the local community's concern principally, but we see a few different options. One of those things is behind-the-meter power generation. So on-site power is one of the clear kind of offsets to this debate. Another thing would be improving utilization rates. So, our sustainability analysts found that the capacity utilization rates are actually quite low at some of these data centers in the range of 30 to 40 percent. So maybe that can be increased. We've got some potential new regulations or transparency requirements around water usage. So, the short of it is, there's not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution here. But we think there's enough on the policy side that these companies can do or offer essentially to local communities. So that the entire build-out doesn't get delayed or doesn't get stopped. And, and that's kind of why we still expect elevated AI CapEx, not just this year, but next year as well. We think that the risks are skewed to the upside for those numbers.Sarah Wolfe: Ariana, I want to touch back to the comment you made on low odds of a nationwide ban on AI data center build-out – and tie it to this broader competition between the U.S. and China, with global supremacy in AI. Can you talk a little bit more about how competition with China is going to prevent a nationwide ban and some of the national security concerns around that? Ariana Salvatore: This ties into the theme of sovereign AI, which is something that we've been focused on recently, especially with all these discussions of more tech restrictions and controls between the U.S. and China. And specifically, it's one of the reasons that we think the geographical build-out will be constrained to either just the U.S. domestically or countries that we are closely aligned with. And really the point I want to make here is that there's three geopolitical realities that are going to form, we think, the incentive structure for federal lawmakers and that are slightly different from the things that state and local policymakers tend to focus on. The first is that we're seeing China leverage its supply chain position to pressure the physical inputs required for AI infrastructure, right? So, we're seeing that tit-for-tat escalation in the context of a broader strategic détente, but there's still a competitive aspect there. The second is that we know China's accelerating its own physical AI build-out. Reporting indicates they're spending something like $300 billion over five years on its own domestic network, so very much full steam ahead in terms of its own domestic potential. And the third is that research has identified China-linked influence operations that use an American frontier model to generate social media posts, comments, and political cartoons linking the data center construction to rising energy prices. So, there's still a little bit of uncertainty as to whether or not those campaigns actually influence public opinion at scale. But in our view, it really underscores the linkage between national security and geopolitics and the AI data center build-out. All these developments together we think underscore the physical component of the AI race and make something like a national data center ban or federal legislation toward those ends really difficult to reconcile with the growing bipartisan strategic imperative around AI, which is something that we think persists past the midterms as well. But at the end of the day, the pace of the AI build-out will depend not just on demand, but on how well projects address the concerns of the communities hosting them. That's why we think this conditional build-out is probably the right base case for now. Michelle and Sarah, thanks so much for taking the time to talk. Michelle Weaver: Great speaking with you both. Sarah Wolfe: Thank you, Ariana. Ariana Salvatore: And thanks for listening. 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