Activists invade site of Microsoft's planned data centre in Amsterdam
Environmental activists occupied a Microsoft data center construction site in Amsterdam to protest the facility's high energy and water consumption. The protesters also cited concerns regarding the use of AI technology in military conflicts.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing global tension between the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and local environmental and ethical concerns.
Several hundred activists opposed to the construction of a Microsoft data centre in Amsterdam occupied the site on Friday, responding to a call for a two-day protest across Europe. The collective Geef Tegengas, which campaigns for climate and justice, and the environmental group Fossielvrij entered the construction site in the Sloterdijk district, halting work for the day. "It's so many things, so many struggles that come together in this data centre," Geef Tegengas spokesman, Nathan Timmer, told AFP. "This thing will use as much energy as all of the households in Amsterdam combined... this thing will use a ridiculous amount of water." U.S. Democrats' midterm sweep fuels $750 billion Big Tech rally U.S.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Activists break into building site of Microsoft datacentre 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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