NDAs Used to Conceal AI Data Center Locations and Energy Impact

What Happened

In the United States, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are being broadly used by tech companies, local governments, and developers to keep details about AI data centers secret from the public. These NDAs prevent information on the locations, scale, energy consumption, and infrastructure of AI data centers from being disclosed, even to nearby communities. The agreements can extend to city officials, local utilities, and planners, limiting public debate over zoning, environmental impact, and energy resources as demand for AI infrastructure increases nationwide. The trend has sparked debate among transparency advocates and local residents concerned about public interest and oversight.

Why It Matters

The widespread use of NDAs in AI data center development raises significant transparency, governance, and environmental issues as the expansion of artificial intelligence accelerates. Shielding key details from the public may hinder informed debate on energy use and civic planning. Read more in our AI News Hub