Activists break into building site of Microsoft datacentre in Amsterdam
Activists in Amsterdam broke into a Microsoft datacentre construction site to protest the environmental and social impacts of the AI industry. The action is part of a broader European movement demanding a moratorium on new datacentre construction.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing public and political backlash against the energy consumption and ethical implications of rapid AI infrastructure expansion.
Activists scale a temporary construction fence at the site of a new Microsoft datacentre in Amsterdam. Activists scale a temporary construction fence at the site of a new Microsoft datacentre in Amsterdam. Activism Activists break into building site of Microsoft datacentre in Amsterdam Separate actions also take place outside fence and across Europe in backlash against impact of AI boom
Prefer the Guardian on Google Activists have stormed the site of a Microsoft datacentre being built in Amsterdam, as the backlash to the social and environmental harms of the AI boom spreads across Europe.
Protesters from Geef Tegengas, a Dutch direct action group, clashed with police while breaking into a construction site at Westpoort Amsterdam, where some members climbed a crane, lit flares and tied helium balloons to equipment.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Activists invade site of Microsoft's planned data centre in Amsterdam
Protesters Occupy Microsoft's Planned Data Centre In Amsterdam
Protesters broke into Microsoft's Amsterdam data center construction site
Activists breach Microsoft data centre construction site as protests spread in Europe
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