A protest challenging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence targeted technology leaders and state officials during Seattle AI Week's opening panel.
The opening panel focused on AI and economic growth. Climate activists interrupted the discussion while kayakers on Elliott Bay displayed a banner reading "Power for People, Not for Tech."
Here's what to know
Members of Seattle climate activism group Troublemakers disrupted the Washington Technology Industry Association's third annual event several times before security escorted them out, GeekWire reported.
According to the tech news outlet, Troublemakers members want green jobs and clean energy to be Washington's investment priorities. They described the expansion of data centers and the deployment of AI as threats to the state's environment, jobs, and communities.
The panel included Beau Perschbacher, senior policy advisor to Gov. Bob Ferguson; Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce leader Joe Nguyen; and OpenAI community programs global head Mattie Zazueta. OpenAI also served as the event's presenting sponsor.
The demonstrations were only the latest of the group's efforts to challenge data center expansion. In 2024, Troublemakers blocked access to Amazon's Seattle headquarters to oppose its plan to use natural gas for Oregon data centers.
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More background
AI relies on electricity-powered computing in data centers, tying its expansion directly to energy-grid demand.
Perschbacher acknowledged that these facilities "use a really significant amount of electricity," according to GeekWire. With demand from electric vehicles and heat pumps also growing, he said ensuring an adequate power supply is a major challenge.
Water use is another concern. Perschbacher said, however, that the state's review found data centers' consumption was "not out of line with a typical industrial user."
What's being done?
Washington AI Resistance coordinated 19 or more demonstrations across Washington in October to seek a statewide moratorium. Seattle's City Council unanimously approved a yearlong halt on new large data centers in June, according to GeekWire.
Ferguson's administration established a working group to examine data centers' effects. Perschbacher said Washington won't allow the facilities to operate diesel generators continuously and that lawmakers would likely reconsider legislation addressing ratepayer protections.
During a later panel, State Sen. Marko Liias, who sponsored legislation on high-risk AI uses, outlined expectations for facilities seeking to locate in Washington.
"When energy becomes scarce," Liias said, per GeekWire, "I do think we need to be clear that our communities deserve access to that energy before the data centers do."
The tech outlet described the lawmaker's other data center expectations as including: supplying the grid with additional clean energy, reusing water, and abandoning nondisclosure agreements that leave communities uninformed.
Where can I learn more?
These stories examine how concerns about data centers' energy and water use have sparked opposition well beyond Seattle:
• New York activists rallied at Tesla, demanding a data center moratorium over Musk's Dojo plans.
• Texas residents pressed candidates on power and water concerns during an acrimonious data-center forum.
• India's data center expansion has sparked land and water backlash, with communities demanding consultation.
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