In this opinion piece, David Strom argues that opposition to AI data centers is largely based on false claims and is being amplified by foreign adversaries, particularly China, to weaken US competitiveness. He contends that data centers are environmentally benign, noting that cooling water is recycled and that total US data center freshwater consumption represents less than 0.5% of the nation’s supply. Strom asserts that while legitimate concerns about AI exist, restricting data center construction merely advantages hostile foreign powers in the AI race.
