'We used acid to sabotage Microsoft hyperscale data centre construction'
Extinction Rebellion activists in the Netherlands attempted to sabotage a Microsoft data center construction site by applying a chemical mixture to the concrete foundations. The group cites the massive electricity and water consumption of AI-focused data centers as the primary motivation for their protest.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the growing physical and social backlash against the environmental footprint of large-scale AI infrastructure.
In the night of 16 july, people from Extinction Rebellion (XR) targetted a Microsoft data centre construction site in the Amsterdam port area. The group says to have tried to weaken the recently placed reinforced concrete foundations, by dousing them with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, salt, and acrylic paint. According to Extinction Rebellion, the acid attacks the concrete, the hydrogen peroxide causes steel to rust faster, and salt speeds up the process. Techwerkers called with Martijn Dekker, spokesperson of Extinction Rebellion.
The article includes strong language from the activists regarding 'AI hype' and 'meaningless slop,' reflecting the group's critical stance.
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