Big Tech is spending hundreds of billions of dollars to build out the energy-hungry infrastructure of AI, and many are turning to “behind-the-meter” solutions to get things up and running as quickly as possible.

The AI data center boom is reshaping economies while straining power grids, water supplies, and communities. Here’s the real cost behind AI’s rise.

Several indicators point to continued growth in data center construction in 2026, driven by billions in funding from tech and software companies.

As AI increases demand for data centers, many will get built in dense metropolitan areas close to where people live and work.

"I guess one person's sabotage is another person's letting folks know."

AI’s energy problem may also be its solution, as cities are increasingly exploring opportunities to repurpose excess heat from data centers.

Engineers at Utilidata's new Ann Arbor headquarters are testing, developing technology to make data centers more power efficient.

SpaceX is requesting permission to launch as many as 1 million satellites into the Earth's orbit in order to pull off Elon Musk's latest grand vision of putting data centers in space to do complex computing for artificial intelligence.

They form the backbone of social media platforms, e-commerce sites and other technologies. They pay big tax bills but suck up energy and water.

County supervisors are seeking community feedback on a draft ordinance outlining where and how data center development can occur in Linn County.