{"id":2039701,"date":"2026-07-12T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2039701"},"modified":"2026-07-12T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T09:00:00","slug":"the-fight-against-ai-data-centers-is-just-beginning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2039701","title":{"rendered":"The fight against AI data centers is just beginning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><main id=\"content\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<article>\n<div class=\"duet--article--lede duet--page-layout--feature-article _1se63890\">\n<div class=\"duet--ledes--feature-lede yrbje60\">\n<div class=\"yrbje61\">\n<div class=\"yrbje66\">\n<div class=\"_1xtd7xb6 _1xtd7xb4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1044qiz7\">\n<div class=\"yrbje62 _1044qiz3\">\n<div class=\"yrbje63 _1044qizp\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e0 _5s9d1e1\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e3\"><span class=\"_29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"_1phh1th0\">\n<li>\n<div 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-->Column<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb_mobile-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjEwMg==\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">AI<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjEwMg==-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">AI<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\">See All <!-- -->AI<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb_mobile-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjEwNg==\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Policy<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjEwNg==-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Policy<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\">See All <!-- -->Policy<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class>\n<h1 class=\"cbn62f2 cbn62f0 cbn62f8 _19wv7tcc _19wv7tc9\">The fight against AI data centers is just beginning<\/h1>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup cbn62fi cbn62fg _19wv7tcc _19wv7tc1\">Community pushback from across the US and beyond is making some companies reconsider their data center buildout plans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo22 _29pwo20\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo29\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-byline _19wv7tcc _1p3b6390\"><span class><span>by<\/span> <!-- --> <span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span id=\"follow-author-author_byline_lead_mobile-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6395 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2-author_byline_lead\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emma Roth\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195810\/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Emma Roth<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\">\n<div class=\"_1bw37382\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/emma-roth\">See All by <!-- -->Emma Roth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw6 g4xafw1 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _19wv7tcc\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-12T12:00:00+00:00\">Jul 12, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo2m _29pwo2w\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo2x\"><span class=\"_29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--share-buttons _1e9wo7z0\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"_1e9wo7zo\"><button aria-label=\"Copy link\" class=\"_1e9wo7z4 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Link<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Share article\" class=\"_1e9wo7z4 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class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-2282688394.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.67%2C0%2C66.66%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1044qizm _1044qizw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A yard sign opposing a planned data center is displayed\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-2282688394.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.67%2C0%2C66.66%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"yrbje67\">\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\">A yard sign opposing a planned data center is displayed along Route 54 in Mount Carmel Township Northumberland County.<\/figcaption><cite class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmb5\">|  Image: Getty Images<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"yrbje63 _1044qizq\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e0 _5s9d1e1\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e3\"><span class=\"_29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"_1phh1th0\">\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb_desktop-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjE2MzI=\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span 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_1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Policy<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjEwNg==-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Policy<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\">See All <!-- -->Policy<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class>\n<h1 class=\"cbn62f2 cbn62f0 cbn62f8 _19wv7tcc _19wv7tc9\">The fight against AI data centers is just beginning<\/h1>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup cbn62fi cbn62fg _19wv7tcc _19wv7tc1\">Community pushback from across the US and beyond is making some companies reconsider their data center buildout plans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo22 _29pwo20\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo29\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-byline _19wv7tcc _1p3b6390\"><span class><span>by<\/span> <!-- --> <span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span id=\"follow-author-author_byline_lead_desktop-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6395 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2-author_byline_lead\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emma Roth\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195810\/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Emma Roth<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\">\n<div class=\"_1bw37382\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" 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src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195810\/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=96\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"_4aoxp35\"><span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span id=\"follow-author-standard_article_details-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6393 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2-standard_article_details\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emma Roth\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195810\/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Emma Roth<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/emma-roth\">See All by <!-- -->Emma Roth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p> <span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _4aoxp37\">is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"zephr-anchor\" class=\"_1044qiz13\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\"><em>This is <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/the-stepback-newsletter\">The Stepback<\/a><em>, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on the data center buildout, follow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/emma-roth\">Emma Roth<\/a>. <\/em>The Stepback<em> arrives in our subscribers\u2019 inboxes on Sunday at 8AM ET. Opt in for <\/em>The Stepback<em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/newsletters\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"how-it-started\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">How it started<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Years before the AI boom threatened local power grids, a small group of protesters set the stage for the battles cropping up across communities today. In 2015, Apple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2015\/2\/23\/8089311\/apple-european-data-centers-nearly-2-billion\">announced plans<\/a> to build a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/apples-850-million-irish-data-centre-hangs-in-the-balance-2016-10\">roughly $1 billion<\/a> data center in the sleepy town of Athenry, Ireland. The data center\u2019s 500-acre site would power Apple\u2019s services in Europe, including iTunes, iMessage, and Siri. At the time, Apple said the data center would offer outdoor education spaces, walking trails, and an initiative to replant native trees. It would also use 100 percent renewable energy. With the approval from the local government and plans to give back to the community, Apple likely didn\u2019t anticipate the lengthy battle it was about to face.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Apple\u2019s building plans were quickly derailed after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/apples-850-million-irish-data-centre-is-on-hold-2016-2?r=UK&amp;IR=T\">Irish residents lodged complaints<\/a> to the country\u2019s independent planning board about the expected noise, light pollution, flooding, traffic, and impact on local wildlife. While the board <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/business\/construction\/an-bord-pleanala-gives-green-light-for-apple-data-centre-1.2754006\">ultimately approved Apple\u2019s facility in 2016<\/a>, the fight didn\u2019t end there, as residents applied for judicial review of the board\u2019s decision in the Irish High Court. In 2017, the Irish High Court <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/irelands-high-court-rules-in-favor-of-apples-athenry-project\/\">ruled in favor<\/a> of Apple, but the pair of activists behind the appeal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/apple-athenry-data-centre-supreme-court-2-3733210-Dec2017\/\">wanted to bring the decision<\/a> before Ireland\u2019s Supreme Court \u2014 and that was finally enough for Apple to call it quits. Even with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/locals-march-in-support-of-apples-project-in-athenry-ireland\/\">the support of some of Athenry\u2019s residents<\/a>, Apple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2018\/5\/10\/17338734\/apple-data-center-ireland-scrapped-athenry\">gave up just months later, in May 2018<\/a>, after its building plans remained in limbo for years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Over the past decades, data centers for cloud storage and other non-AI-related purposes have become ubiquitous. But data centers are coming under increasing scrutiny in 2026, with sprawling AI data centers consuming as <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/ai-artificial-intelligence-data-center-electricity-wyoming-cheyenne-44da7974e2d942acd8bf003ebe2e855a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">much energy as entire states<\/a> and some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motherjones.com\/politics\/2026\/05\/mr-wonderful-utah-stratos-data-center-shark-tank\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">as large as cities<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"how-its-going\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">How it\u2019s going<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">More people are recognizing the risks AI data centers pose to their communities as residents living near these facilities report <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/graphics\/2025-ai-data-centers-electricity-prices\/\">rising energy costs<\/a>, issues <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cy8gy7lv448o\">affecting local water quality<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/06\/17\/us\/data-centers-noise-pollution.html\">noise <\/a>and light pollution, along with concerns <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/data-centers-taking-over-texas-pollution-could-be-catastrophic\/\">about greenhouse gas emission<\/a>s. The US Energy Information Administration said commercial energy demand <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/us-power-use-beat-record-highs-2026-2027-ai-use-surges-eia-says-2026-07-07\/\">would surpass residential demand<\/a> for the first time this year due to the AI data center buildout. That demand is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goldmansachs.com\/insights\/articles\/us-data-center-power-demand-projected-to-double-by-2027\">expected to double by 2027<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Now, many people are rushing to block the buildout of AI data centers in their communities, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.observer-reporter.com\/news\/local-news\/2026\/jun\/05\/data-center-town-hall-draws-large-crowd-in-fayette\/\">residents<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kltv.com\/2026\/06\/18\/lufkin-residents-voice-concerns-about-proposed-ai-data-center\/\">flooding<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.keranews.org\/energy-environment\/2026-05-14\/hood-county-al-data-center-town-hall-draws-bipartisan-concerns-over-water-noise-and-local-control\">town<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/sourcenm.com\/2026\/05\/06\/new-mexico-residents-oppose-proposed-data-center-at-socorro-town-hall\/\">halls<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/GMA\/News\/residents-fight-ai-data-center-campus-nashville-zoo\/story?id=133810954\">across<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kktv.com\/2026\/04\/08\/hundreds-attend-town-hall-proposed-data-center-colorado-springs\/\">the nation<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news8000.com\/news\/local-news\/data-center-proposal-draws-residents-to-adrian-town-hall-meeting\/article_f19c4e37-cd81-4694-8a54-4f44e69f3f4e.html\">to voice<\/a> their concerns about the buildout. From January to March alone, protesters have blocked or delayed at least 75 projects in the US valued at $130 billion, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacenterwatch.org\/q1-2026\">a study from Data Center Watch<\/a>, a research project backed by the AI security company 10a Labs. \u201cThe number of active opposition groups more than doubled from 396 at the end of 2025 to 833 by the end of Q1 2026, now spanning 49 states,\u201d the study says. \u201cOver 235,000 petition signatures were collected in this quarter alone.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">In January, the Blackstone-owned data center company <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/qts-drops-plan-for-data-center-near-madison-wisconsin-amid-opposition-from-local-officials\/\">QTS dropped plans<\/a> to build a <a href=\"https:\/\/finance-commerce.com\/2025\/11\/qts-dane-county-data-center\/\">$12 billion<\/a> campus in DeForest, Wisconsin, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailycardinal.com\/article\/2026\/01\/deforest-residents-organize-to-stop-proposed-data-center-after-emails-go-public\">following protests<\/a> from community members. Meanwhile, a planned data center on a 580-acre campus in Delaware City is facing roadblocks, as <a href=\"https:\/\/spotlightdelaware.org\/2026\/03\/26\/delaware-city-data-center-environmental-denial-upheld-by-state-board\/\">local regulators determined<\/a> in March that the planned facility is prohibited under the state\u2019s Coastal Zone Act, which blocks heavy industry on its shorelines. And so far in July, opponents <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcwashington.com\/news\/local\/northern-virginia\/proposed-2000-acre-data-center-in-prince-william-stirs-debate\/4127320\/\">successfully blocked a QTS data center<\/a> in Prince William County, Virginia. The \u201cDigital Gateway\u201d would\u2019ve spanned 2,000 acres in a state that\u2019s already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inc.com\/georgia-fearn\/welcomed-37-data-centers-now-schools-dim-lights-cut-energy-costs\/91368206\">dealing with rising energy costs<\/a> from data center buildout. Residents also pressured <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/943234\/kevin-oleary-agrees-to-downsize-massive-utah-data-center\"><em>Shark Tank<\/em> star Kevin O\u2019Leary to downsize<\/a> his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/933687\/utah-stratos-project-data-center-kevin-oleary\">proposed 40,000-acre Project Stratos campus<\/a> in Box Elder County, Utah.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacenterknowledge.com\/data-center-construction\/new-data-center-developments-july-2026\">new data center proposals emerging<\/a> what seems like each week, the fight is far from over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"what-happens-next\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">What happens next<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">As protests in communities across the US and beyond play out, a political battle is breaking out in Congress. Data centers are a key part of President Donald Trump\u2019s plan to win the AI race against China, which is why he signed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/fact-sheets\/2025\/07\/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-accelerates-federal-permitting-of-data-center-infrastructure\/\">an executive order last year<\/a> to fast-track the construction of the sprawling facilities. But not everyone on Capitol Hill is on board with Trump\u2019s stance on AI data centers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">With midterm elections around the corner, some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-07-09\/republican-midterm-candidates-break-with-trump-on-data-centers\">Republican candidates are distancing<\/a> themselves from Trump\u2019s data center-friendly views to curry favor with residents. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sanders.senate.gov\/press-releases\/news-sanders-ocasio-cortez-announce-ai-data-center-moratorium-act\/\">introduced a bill<\/a> that would pause the construction of new AI data centers until Congress passes laws that would prevent the facilities from raising utility prices or harming the environment. At the same time, lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle <a href=\"https:\/\/energycommerce.house.gov\/posts\/chairman-guthrie-chairman-latta-and-rep-evans-on-the-introduction-of-the-ratepayer-protection-act\">are backing the Ratepayer Protection Act<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/889578\/data-center-power-pledge-white-house-google-meta-microsoft\">set of laws that codifies an agreement<\/a> signed by Google, Meta, Microsoft, and other tech giants to pay for their own data center energy costs. Other lawmakers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawley.senate.gov\/hawley-blumenthal-introduce-bill-to-prevent-data-centers-from-increasing-electricity-costs-for-americans\/\">stand behind the Guaranteeing Rate Insulation from Data Centers (GRID) Act<\/a>, which would force data centers to use energy sources separate from the US electric grid in an effort to protect residents from utility bill increases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Local governments are taking steps to regulate AI data centers, too. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techpolicy.press\/where-state-ai-legislation-stands-half-way-into-2026\/\"><em>Tech Policy Press<\/em> reports that both Democrat- and Republican-led states<\/a> have enacted 28 laws related to AI data centers, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flgov.com\/eog\/news\/press\/2026\/governor-ron-desantis-signs-law-protect-floridians-subsidizing-data-centers\">Florida, which introduced rules to prevent data centers<\/a> from passing on costs to residents. Idaho <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ktvb.com\/article\/news\/local\/208\/idaho-law-sets-up-safeguard-data-centers-water-use\/277-e4610e7e-fc86-4ebe-886e-0fff6bc9cfeb\">put restrictions<\/a> on AI data center water usage, while <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bloomberglaw.com\/ip-law\/washington-to-end-data-center-tax-break-for-replacing-servers\">Washington state removed a tax break<\/a> for the companies operating the facilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">The current patchwork of local laws isn\u2019t enough to rein in the buildout, and the federal-level bills still have to make their way through Congress, leaving many communities to fend for themselves. Just two people were enough to tie up Apple\u2019s plans in Ireland, and now it\u2019s taking entire towns and cities to fight against the massive data centers coming to their neighborhoods, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox8live.com\/2026\/05\/12\/metas-27-billion-ai-data-center-is-transforming-rural-louisiana\/\">Meta\u2019s $27 billion \u201cHyperion\u201d build<\/a> in Louisiana, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/news\/local\/clay-county\/article314692654.html\">Google\u2019s $10 billion Project Mica<\/a> in Missouri, <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/xai-musk-data-center-mississippi-memphis-433691ace945708a04762b4791602f3d\">SpaceXAI\u2019s $20 billion campus<\/a> in Mississippi, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2025\/1\/21\/24348816\/openai-softbank-ai-data-center-stargate-project\">$500 billion Stargate data centers<\/a> planned across the US.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"by-the-way\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">By the way<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1044qizi irzhn80 _19wv7tc1\">\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Wyoming officials <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jul\/08\/meta-datacenter-ai-wyoming-water\">recently found<\/a> that a contractor linked to Meta\u2019s data center flushed bacteria-contaminated water into public sewers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Factories across the Midwest are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/big-tech-data-centers-are-driving-up-power-bills-americas-rust-belt-factories-2026-07-07\/\">facing rising electricity costs<\/a> due to nearby data centers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Plans to build 74 gas-fired plants to power data centers across the US could release as much greenhouse gas pollution as all of Australia, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/environmentalintegrity.org\/news\/74-gas-power-plants-proposed-for-u-s-data-centers-could-release-as-much-climate-pollution-as-australia\/\">Environmental Integrity Project<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"read-this\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Read this<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1044qizi irzhn80 _19wv7tc1\">\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\"><em>The Verge<\/em>\u2019s Lauren Feiner has a great write-up about how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/942296\/google-water-commitments-data-centers\">Google plans to replenish more water than it uses at its data centers<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">You might\u2019ve heard about plans to put AI data centers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/845453\/space-data-centers-astronomers\">in space<\/a>, but you might want to read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.upi.com\/Top_News\/World-News\/2026\/07\/08\/floating-data-centers-offshore-infrastructure\/7391783557729\/\">UPI\u2019s report about<\/a> how Samsung and Hyundai want to put data centers on boats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brockovichdatacenter.com\/\">Erin Brockovich\u2019s map<\/a> of the planned data centers across the US.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tly2fw0\"><span class=\"tly2fw2\"><strong>Follow topics and authors<\/strong> from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"tly2fw3\">\n<li id=\"follow-author-article_footer-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2\"><span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89kf _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2-article_footer\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emma Roth\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" 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for the optimizers\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-1236026592.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=3.0666666666667%2C0%2C93.866666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/963917\/optimizer-bryan-johnson-biohacking-health\">Empathy for the optimizers<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"I\u2019m filling in at The Verge for 6 weeks. Ask me anything!\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/David-Profile-AMA.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C5.1192145862553%2C100%2C89.761570827489&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/963495\/im-filling-in-at-the-verge-for-6-weeks-ask-me-anything\">I\u2019m filling in at The Verge for 6 weeks. Ask me anything!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"I spy\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/257980_Meta_Ray-Ban_Display_AKrales_0111.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/961707\/smart-glasses-ai-wearables-meta-surveillance-privacy\">I spy<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mr. Lif\u2019s Emergency Rations EP is post-9\/11 hip-hop at its most daring\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Mr-Lif-Emergency-Rations.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=12.5%2C0%2C75%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/961484\/mr-lif-emergency-rations-ep-post-9-11-review\">Mr. Lif\u2019s Emergency Rations EP is post-9\/11 hip-hop at its most daring<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xbox is a disaster\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/ss_b5ba5567b6da5c30f4825517750aad1c16c2806a.1920x1080.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=7.8125%2C0%2C84.375%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/960600\/xbox-is-a-disaster\">Xbox is a disaster<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hydration isn\u2019t complicated: Just drink water\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-2283910763.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0.751414427157%2C0%2C98.497171145686%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/960832\/optimizer-hydration-electrolytes-health-heat-wave\">Hydration isn\u2019t complicated: Just drink water<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1hofmaw2\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjj _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Empathy for the optimizers\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-1236026592.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=18.711111111111%2C0%2C62.577777777778%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Empathy for the optimizers\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-1236026592.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=3.0666666666667%2C0%2C93.866666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/963917\/optimizer-bryan-johnson-biohacking-health\">Empathy for the optimizers<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Victoria Song<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-10T14:00:00+00:00\">Jul 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"I\u2019m filling in at The Verge for 6 weeks. Ask me anything!\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/David-Profile-AMA.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=12.864583333333%2C0%2C74.270833333333%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"I\u2019m filling in at The Verge for 6 weeks. Ask me anything!\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/David-Profile-AMA.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C5.1192145862553%2C100%2C89.761570827489&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/963495\/im-filling-in-at-the-verge-for-6-weeks-ask-me-anything\">I\u2019m filling in at The Verge for 6 weeks. Ask me anything!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>David Imel<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-10T14:00:00+00:00\">Jul 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"I spy\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/257980_Meta_Ray-Ban_Display_AKrales_0111.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"I spy\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/257980_Meta_Ray-Ban_Display_AKrales_0111.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/961707\/smart-glasses-ai-wearables-meta-surveillance-privacy\">I spy<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Victoria Song<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-06T16:00:00+00:00\">Jul 6<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mr. Lif\u2019s Emergency Rations EP is post-9\/11 hip-hop at its most daring\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Mr-Lif-Emergency-Rations.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=25%2C0%2C50%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mr. Lif\u2019s Emergency Rations EP is post-9\/11 hip-hop at its most daring\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Mr-Lif-Emergency-Rations.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=12.5%2C0%2C75%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/961484\/mr-lif-emergency-rations-ep-post-9-11-review\">Mr. Lif\u2019s Emergency Rations EP is post-9\/11 hip-hop at its most daring<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Terrence O&#8217;Brien<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-05T18:30:00+00:00\">Jul 5<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xbox is a disaster\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/ss_b5ba5567b6da5c30f4825517750aad1c16c2806a.1920x1080.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=21.875%2C0%2C56.25%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xbox is a disaster\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/ss_b5ba5567b6da5c30f4825517750aad1c16c2806a.1920x1080.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=7.8125%2C0%2C84.375%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/960600\/xbox-is-a-disaster\">Xbox is a disaster<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Andrew Webster<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-05T12:00:00+00:00\">Jul 5<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjk _1ismqjl _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hydration isn\u2019t complicated: Just drink water\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-2283910763.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=17.167609618105%2C0%2C65.664780763791%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hydration isn\u2019t complicated: Just drink water\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-2283910763.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0.751414427157%2C0%2C98.497171145686%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/960832\/optimizer-hydration-electrolytes-health-heat-wave\">Hydration isn\u2019t complicated: Just drink water<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Victoria Song<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-03T14:00:00+00:00\">Jul 3<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--ad--native-ad-linkset _14xz0mv4 _14xz0mv5 _14xz0mva hidden\" data-native-ad-id=\"container\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"visually-hidden\">\n<div class=\"dynamic-native-ad-native_ad_linkset_link\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_14xz0mv7\"><span data-native-ad-id=\"preamble\" class=\"_14xz0mv8 _14xz0mv9\">Advertiser Content From<\/span><\/p>\n<div><img data-native-ad-id=\"logo\" src alt=\"Sponsor Logo\" class=\"_14xz0mvg\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"_14xz0mvj\" data-native-ad-id=\"title\">This is the title for the native ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e3czlx6\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--header-pattern _75r1tr2\">\n<div class=\"_75r1tr3\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--page-header bpecqn0\">\n<div class=\"bpecqnj bpecqnf\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup bpecqno bpecqnm _19wv7tc2\">Top Stories<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_75r1tr4\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjj _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-12T13:00:00+00:00\">Two hours ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/games\/964262\/blue-prince-family-bonding\">Blue Prince became a bonding \u2014 and learning \u2014 experience for my family<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-11T15:00:00+00:00\">Jul 11<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/963509\/image-line-ceo-constantin-koehncke-fl-studio-interview\">FL Studio head Constantin Koehncke turns to Reddit for feedback and fun<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-11T13:00:00+00:00\">Jul 11<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/964302\/ice-donald-trump-killings\">ICE are heavily armed killers. They\u2019re also huge losers<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjk _1ismqjl _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-10T21:36:51+00:00\">Jul 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/964350\/apple-openai-lawsuit-trade-secrets\">Apple sues OpenAI for allegedly stealing hardware secrets<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Column Close Column Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. FollowFollow See All Column AI Close AI Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. FollowFollow See All AI Policy Close Policy Posts from this topic will be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,250],"class_list":["post-2039701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-theverge-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2039701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2039701"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2039701\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2039701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2039701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2039701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}