Students protest AI amid growing national concerns (opens original article in a new tab)

Students in Australia protest a new AI data centre due to environmental, social, and economic concerns, with calls for stricter regulations on data centre expansion and AI development.

• Students protest a $200 million AI data centre on the Sunshine Coast over environmental and social concerns
• At least 90 more data centres are planned nationwide, prompting calls for stronger regulations
• The Greens and Climate Council highlight energy and water usage concerns, while students fear job loss and AI misuse
• Data centres used 4 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024-25, equivalent to 700,000 homes' usage
• University students and activists organize rallies and social media campaigns to push for AI regulations