Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
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I’d rather think that’s the charm of it don’t you?
Imagine the national Postal Service and or libraries working together collaboratively to build a federated system.
I know I know nothing like that could ever work
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Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
So just to be clear:
Data centres create less jobs than expected;
extract more water from locality than is sustainable;
increase emissions when in use;
and in any case may already be in sight of the end of their use (as computing technologies shift to more localised capacity).So what's the point of them, then?
#DataCentres #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/09/uk-datacentres-will-create-just-25-of-jobs-predicted-by-tech-sector-analysis-finds@ChrisMayLA6 Another way to spin trickle down economics, another failure for that theory, it always sucks vibrancy out of our economy, makes the rich richer, and everyone else poorer.
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Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
So just to be clear:
Data centres create less jobs than expected;
extract more water from locality than is sustainable;
increase emissions when in use;
and in any case may already be in sight of the end of their use (as computing technologies shift to more localised capacity).So what's the point of them, then?
#DataCentres #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/09/uk-datacentres-will-create-just-25-of-jobs-predicted-by-tech-sector-analysis-finds -
Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
So just to be clear:
Data centres create less jobs than expected;
extract more water from locality than is sustainable;
increase emissions when in use;
and in any case may already be in sight of the end of their use (as computing technologies shift to more localised capacity).So what's the point of them, then?
#DataCentres #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/09/uk-datacentres-will-create-just-25-of-jobs-predicted-by-tech-sector-analysis-findsData centers are money laundering for the fossil fuel industry
It disguises the oil industry's growing militarization too
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/08/28/uae-sees-deal-with-trump-key-becoming-middle-east-ai-powerhouse/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/05/13/trump-tech-execs-riyadh/
Just as Russia's oligarchs laundered their wealth in real estate, via banks like Deutsche & hedge funds.
It inflated housing costs beyond the reach of the average citizenPetrostate despots are laundering their looted national treasuries
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-germany-look-build-ties-with-investment-energy-ai-deals-2026-09-09/ -
Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
So just to be clear:
Data centres create less jobs than expected;
extract more water from locality than is sustainable;
increase emissions when in use;
and in any case may already be in sight of the end of their use (as computing technologies shift to more localised capacity).So what's the point of them, then?
#DataCentres #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/09/uk-datacentres-will-create-just-25-of-jobs-predicted-by-tech-sector-analysis-finds@ChrisMayLA6 There is a difference between a standard data center and the new AI data centers being built. Most data centers are built for general purpose computing, but AI data centers are almost entirely dominated by expensive graphics cards focused on a very narrow type of computing and cannot be easily repurposed for the computing needed for hosting websites and apps. When the AI bubble bursts or a more efficient means of running AI is found, these hyperscalers are going to go bankrupt the value of the hardware they are sitting on us going to crash and it's going to be just like 2008. You cannot run a website, host a cloud drive or serve an app on a graphics card alone. That said, when very high paying jobs are added to a local economy, the people working then spend their money, which will support hundreds of other jobs that wouldn't exist had that money not been circulating. Which is going to make the AI crash a lot worse than 2008.
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Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
So just to be clear:
Data centres create less jobs than expected;
extract more water from locality than is sustainable;
increase emissions when in use;
and in any case may already be in sight of the end of their use (as computing technologies shift to more localised capacity).So what's the point of them, then?
#DataCentres #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/09/uk-datacentres-will-create-just-25-of-jobs-predicted-by-tech-sector-analysis-finds@ChrisMayLA6 Modern data centers are managed from a distance. It's only repairs done locally. Watch out for colonialism with the limited water and energy supplies.
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@ChrisMayLA6 There is a difference between a standard data center and the new AI data centers being built. Most data centers are built for general purpose computing, but AI data centers are almost entirely dominated by expensive graphics cards focused on a very narrow type of computing and cannot be easily repurposed for the computing needed for hosting websites and apps. When the AI bubble bursts or a more efficient means of running AI is found, these hyperscalers are going to go bankrupt the value of the hardware they are sitting on us going to crash and it's going to be just like 2008. You cannot run a website, host a cloud drive or serve an app on a graphics card alone. That said, when very high paying jobs are added to a local economy, the people working then spend their money, which will support hundreds of other jobs that wouldn't exist had that money not been circulating. Which is going to make the AI crash a lot worse than 2008.
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@Kjaerulv @ChrisMayLA6
I wouldn't be surprised if meta tried to automate the maintenance of a data center. My point still stands about the subprime data center crisis probably being worse than 2008. And because governments have been captured with the AI race rhetoric that chatbots are somehow vital to national security, this time the taxpayers will foot the bill. -
@ChrisMayLA6 There is a difference between a standard data center and the new AI data centers being built. Most data centers are built for general purpose computing, but AI data centers are almost entirely dominated by expensive graphics cards focused on a very narrow type of computing and cannot be easily repurposed for the computing needed for hosting websites and apps. When the AI bubble bursts or a more efficient means of running AI is found, these hyperscalers are going to go bankrupt the value of the hardware they are sitting on us going to crash and it's going to be just like 2008. You cannot run a website, host a cloud drive or serve an app on a graphics card alone. That said, when very high paying jobs are added to a local economy, the people working then spend their money, which will support hundreds of other jobs that wouldn't exist had that money not been circulating. Which is going to make the AI crash a lot worse than 2008.
@kittson @ChrisMayLA6 Also, risk of the pre-purchased specialist chips being obsolete before the data centre is built.
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@Kjaerulv @ChrisMayLA6
I wouldn't be surprised if meta tried to automate the maintenance of a data center. My point still stands about the subprime data center crisis probably being worse than 2008. And because governments have been captured with the AI race rhetoric that chatbots are somehow vital to national security, this time the taxpayers will foot the bill.@kittson @Kjaerulv @ChrisMayLA6 I think you're mixing up your boom and busts.
The AI bubble is far more akin to the dot.com bubble of the late 90s early 2000s.
The problems with any and all data centres, AI or cloud or general use, is the environmental impact. This has long been a problem that the focus on AI has finally highlighted.
AI isn't going away. It needs better regulation, legislation & oversight. Planning & implementation also needs to account for improvements in Tech. -
@kittson @ChrisMayLA6 Also, risk of the pre-purchased specialist chips being obsolete before the data centre is built.
@annehargreaves @kittson @ChrisMayLA6 This is a good point, because computer chip technology is still evolving. These proposed centres need robust impact assessments for the environment and longevity.
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Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
So just to be clear:
Data centres create less jobs than expected;
extract more water from locality than is sustainable;
increase emissions when in use;
and in any case may already be in sight of the end of their use (as computing technologies shift to more localised capacity).So what's the point of them, then?
#DataCentres #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/09/uk-datacentres-will-create-just-25-of-jobs-predicted-by-tech-sector-analysis-finds@ChrisMayLA6 People can't accept they were sold a scam until the rug pull comes.
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Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
So just to be clear:
Data centres create less jobs than expected;
extract more water from locality than is sustainable;
increase emissions when in use;
and in any case may already be in sight of the end of their use (as computing technologies shift to more localised capacity).So what's the point of them, then?
#DataCentres #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/09/uk-datacentres-will-create-just-25-of-jobs-predicted-by-tech-sector-analysis-finds@ChrisMayLA6 Anyone surprised? -
Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
So just to be clear:
Data centres create less jobs than expected;
extract more water from locality than is sustainable;
increase emissions when in use;
and in any case may already be in sight of the end of their use (as computing technologies shift to more localised capacity).So what's the point of them, then?
#DataCentres #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/09/uk-datacentres-will-create-just-25-of-jobs-predicted-by-tech-sector-analysis-finds@ChrisMayLA6
It sure looks to me like the goal is to build the data centers so fast the only option to power them is fossil fuel generators. When the datacenters are obsolete, we'll still have this massive generating capacity, so there will be "no point" in building renewable power. We'll wind up locked into fossil fuels for another generation, guaranteeing profits for the oil companies. -
@ChrisMayLA6
It sure looks to me like the goal is to build the data centers so fast the only option to power them is fossil fuel generators. When the datacenters are obsolete, we'll still have this massive generating capacity, so there will be "no point" in building renewable power. We'll wind up locked into fossil fuels for another generation, guaranteeing profits for the oil companies.Hmmm... interesting point; and boosted
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@ChrisMayLA6
It sure looks to me like the goal is to build the data centers so fast the only option to power them is fossil fuel generators. When the datacenters are obsolete, we'll still have this massive generating capacity, so there will be "no point" in building renewable power. We'll wind up locked into fossil fuels for another generation, guaranteeing profits for the oil companies.@VATVSLPR @ChrisMayLA6 worth noting that the methane fuelled generators they have been using to power the AI datacentres in the USA are mostly lots of small inefficient single pass turbines, not the more efficient combined cycle ones currently used to power the national grid. If we were to use these on-grid they would cost us even more than the gas generators we currently use to top up renewables and nuclear so once the data centres (and their demand) became history they would end up as scrap too.
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Hmmm... interesting point; and boosted
@ChrisMayLA6
I should be more careful about what I say. I don't want to say that oil companies are the driving force behind this stuff, just one of the driving forces. Nothing that has as much momentum behind it as AI datacenters do gets there with just one big backer. There are a bunch of different groups, each with their own reason. No one group is enough to push them through, but all the groups working their different angles are much more powerful. -
@VATVSLPR @ChrisMayLA6 worth noting that the methane fuelled generators they have been using to power the AI datacentres in the USA are mostly lots of small inefficient single pass turbines, not the more efficient combined cycle ones currently used to power the national grid. If we were to use these on-grid they would cost us even more than the gas generators we currently use to top up renewables and nuclear so once the data centres (and their demand) became history they would end up as scrap too.
@marjolica @ChrisMayLA6
Maybe, but I wouldn't count on it. As the saying goes, nothing is as permanent as a temporary solution, especially with a powerful interest pushing to keep that temporary solution going. -
@ChrisMayLA6
It sure looks to me like the goal is to build the data centers so fast the only option to power them is fossil fuel generators. When the datacenters are obsolete, we'll still have this massive generating capacity, so there will be "no point" in building renewable power. We'll wind up locked into fossil fuels for another generation, guaranteeing profits for the oil companies.@VATVSLPR @ChrisMayLA6
Exactly so then not too long into the future they will become surplus as technology changes and we don't need such big white elephants, they'll then sit empty a symbol of tech bros greed as we the humans struggle to get water and power -
Well, well, well.... it seems that the claims for 'job creation' from the build out of data centres seem to be (shall we say) inflated.
So just to be clear:
Data centres create less jobs than expected;
extract more water from locality than is sustainable;
increase emissions when in use;
and in any case may already be in sight of the end of their use (as computing technologies shift to more localised capacity).So what's the point of them, then?
#DataCentres #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/09/uk-datacentres-will-create-just-25-of-jobs-predicted-by-tech-sector-analysis-finds@ChrisMayLA6 @Lazarou And if you ignore security staff and cleaners (who essential though they are, are not highly paid) th number of jobs will be even lower.
