'Not a single drop': AI data centre boom sparks water protests on Indonesian island
Residents of Batam, Indonesia, protested against data centers, claiming these facilities are exacerbating a severe water shortage during a prolonged dry spell. While residents report three months without running water, authorities deny that water is being diverted to the industrial sector.
Why it matters
Highlights the growing conflict between the resource-intensive AI infrastructure boom and the basic needs of local communities in developing regions.
Around 300 residents of Indonesia’s Batam island stormed a data centre compound with empty bottles and jerry cans, protesting a water shortage that they say has left their homes without running water for three months amid the island’s growing AI infrastructure boom.According to a BBC report, the protesters gathered at Nongsa Digital Park, accusing data centres of having access to water while residents struggled to secure basic household supplies.Authorities have blamed the shortages on a prolonged dry spell and denied allegations that water meant for households was being diverted to data centres."Not a single drop has come through our taps for the last three months...
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