Data center Boom Sparks Local Backlash in Mexico, Ireland
Querétaro, Mexico – Residents near a Microsoft data center in Las Cenizas, Mexico, are reporting increased disruptions to essential services like electricity and water, raising concerns about the social and economic costs of the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure. similar complaints are surfacing in Ireland, signaling a growing global tension between the demands of data-hungry technologies and the wellbeing of local communities.
The surge in data centers, fueled by the AI boom, is placing unprecedented strain on local resources in regions chosen for their favorable conditions – including cooler climates and access to renewable energy. While these facilities promise economic investment, residents like Dulce María Nicolas, a mother of two and convenience store owner, are experiencing a decline in quality of life.Nicolas stated she was forced to discard spoiled food from her refrigerator twice last summer due to power outages and increased her spending on bottled water because of water cuts.”It’s a double cost,” she lamented, adding that her children suffered indigestion from improperly washed dishes and their school temporarily closed due to toilet malfunctions.
Microsoft’s data center complex began operations in querétaro, impacting residents like Nicolas who claim the facility prioritizes its own energy needs over the community. “They have all the electricity. They don’t leave me anything,” Nicolas said. The situation in Mexico mirrors growing discontent in Ireland,where similar concerns about resource strain and infrastructure limitations are being voiced as data centers proliferate.
This escalating conflict highlights a critical question: can the benefits of AI development be realized without compromising the essential needs and economic stability of the communities hosting the necessary infrastructure? The issue is expected to intensify as demand for data processing continues to grow,potentially leading to further local opposition and calls for greater corporate obligation and enduring infrastructure planning.
This article was originally published in the New York Times on October 20, 2025.
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