Latin American Communities Resist AI Data Center Expansion

Communities across Latin America are resisting the expansion of AI-powering data centers, citing critical water and energy consumption in arid regions. Residents and activists argue that the push for tech investment often bypasses environmental safeguards and lacks community transparency.

In Chile, the government faces backlash for deregulating environmental assessments. By altering diesel usage thresholds for impact evaluations, the state effectively exempted data centers from rigorous reviews. President Gabriel Boric has faced criticism for these policies, which contrast with his promises of an ecological administration.

Similar tensions exist in Uruguay and Brazil. In Montevideo, Uruguay, a legal battle over a Google data center ended in a court ruling requiring the government to disclose water usage data. The court rejected the state's claim of corporate secrecy by citing the Escazú Agreement. Meanwhile, the federal government of Brazil continues to utilize tax exemptions and national investment plans to attract foreign tech firms, a move local activists claim excludes public input.