Within the AI industry, even its builders have been anxious. They’ve long warned of destabilizing job losses and even considered rogue AI that could lead to human extinction. Yet, despite this anxiety, they overlooked the most publicly salient issue: how upset people would be about building data centers.

Part of the backlash is understandable. Data center construction has persisted for decades, and its environmental footprint, land use, and local resource demands have drawn criticism from communities and environmental groups. The industry’s focus on potential risks to humanity has shifted attention away from these immediate, tangible concerns.

The public’s frustration centers on the rapid expansion of data centers, the scale of their energy consumption, and the visual impact on landscapes. These concerns are amplified by the perception that the industry prioritizes profit over community welfare.

In short, while Bloomberg Markets reports on the technical dangers of AI, the industry’s failure to address everyday impacts like data center development has led to a backlash that is harder to ignore. Understanding this gap is key to building trust and guiding responsible growth.