South of Silicon Valley: Tech Jobs, Toxins, and Truth

The Memphis Chamber of Commerce branded Memphis “America’s Distribution Center” in the 1980s to attract transportation and logistics businesses to the soulful city. Recently, the Chamber once again branded Memphis to attract business. This time as the “Digital Delta” to attract big tech to the Mid-South. And they succeeded. But at what cost? In the inaugural episode of “Our Memphis, Our Future,” a group of young Memphians came together to investigate the arrival of xAI to the City of Memphis. Will this arrival benefit the city? Mayor Paul Young and Memphis Chamber president Ted Townsend seem to think so. They both proclaimed that xAI brought high tax revenue and high-paying jobs to supporters and critics alike. Yet, some Memphians remain unconvinced. Memphis Community Against Pollution executive director, KeShaun Pearson, is worried about the polluting effects this facility is already having on the air in South Memphis. Protect the Aquifer, executive director, Sarah Houston is worried about the exorbitant water usage of the facility. We are worried if Memphians will actually benefit from the high-paying jobs and high tax revenue promoted by the mayor and other leaders. In this episode, we explore if xAI is right for the future of Memphis.