The rapid expansion of AI data centres is lining the pockets of big tech billionaires at the expense of communities and our environment.
AI data centres have a huge environmental footprint. They use massive amounts of water and energy and impact biodiversity. They will keep Victoria hooked on dirty coal and gas for longer and threaten our rivers and creeks which are already drying up.
These power hungry AI data centres are being built in our communities, filling our neighbourhoods with more trucks, air pollution, constant noise, and raising serious concerns about access to drinking water.
Meanwhile unregulated AI is leading to workers losing jobs, creators having their work stolen, and our personal data being harvested by big corporations. More info on our plan to protect Australians from AI here.
These polluting, mega AI data centres are used by massive tech companies, some of whom use their technologies for mass surveillance and autonomous weapons of war.
Victorian Labor has rolled out the red carpet for hyperscale AI data centres. They are promising to reduce regulation and are fast tracking approvals without community consultation.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can stop new AI data centres from being built until we can ensure that people and the planet will be put before the profits of big tech corporations.
The Victorian Greens are calling for a moratorium on new AI data centres until we have:
- Strict environmental and water standards to ensure AI data centres don’t drain our water or damage our environment and native biodiversity,
- Required AI data centres to be powered by 100% new renewable energy and ban gas and diesel back up generators, so data centres don’t push up energy bills, or delay the transition to renewables,
- Protection of First Nations cultural heritage; ensuring free, prior and informed consent from Traditional Owners,
- Meaningful and transparent engagement with local communities, and,
- A comprehensive AI strategy to protect workers, artists, and our data.