2 Oct 2026 - The AI data centre backlash: can the boom survive contact with local politics?

As investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure surges, local opposition is growing too, driven by concerns over energy demand, water consumption, visual impact and noise.

To explore these issues, Paul and Lizzy are joined by Nancy Hardie from Aberdeen's sustainability team and Tim O'Reilly from data centre developer Tritax. Together they discuss the economics, politics and geopolitics of the AI infrastructure buildout.

Is opposition to data centre construction a risk to the 'AI trade'? Is this backlash a stand-in for broader societal concerns about who benefits from, and who pays for, the AI revolution? And what does responsible data centre construction look like in practice?

Some highlights:

• Local concerns over energy, water and land use increasingly shape where and how data centres are built. 
• Successful projects depend on meaningful community engagement and visible local benefits. 
• The UK has several advantages as a data centre location, although planning processes and power infrastructure remain important considerations. 
• Infrastructure constraints may influence the pace of AI deployment, making data centres an increasingly important part of the investment story.