Why AI Data Centers Are Invading American Neighborhoods | The Deep

AI is transforming everything—but what’s powering it? In this episode of The Deep, Erika Ahern uncovers the hidden costs of AI data centers: skyrocketing energy use, water consumption, rising utility bills, and growing local backlash. The cloud isn’t weightless—it’s industrial. And it might be coming to your backyard next.Timestamps:0:00 Intro: The AI data center explosion1:59 How data centers have changed4:07 Mapping U.S. data centers5:40 Energy consumption7:52 Residents pay the price9:18 Water usage11:11 Land grabs and noise12:23 Tax incentives13:23 Do data centers create jobs?14:55 Encroachment on residential areas15:37 What are we doing about it?17:24 Conclusion: Is there any stopping it?Watch The Deep on Zeale: https://zeale.co/podcasts/the-deep