To the Editor:

I agree with Jim Smithers concerns of Assemblyman Scott Gray stand to veto the state-wide moratorium on data centers. I find Mr. Smithers questions about NYDIG compelling, and support his recommendation to put the issue up to a referendum by local citizens. 
My own research on data centers greatly troubles me as well. Besides the voracious appetite of data centers for water and power resources which will negatively affect the communities where they reside. 

I am disturbed hearing the experiences of citizens in Georgia and Utah where eminent domain is employed to remove them from their homes or force gratuitous easements on their property for infrastructure built to support data centers. 

Such methods for alleged “progress” and for the benefit “of great good” do not instill confidence. More like excusing the sacrifice of some people’s homes to justify the means.
What is the real benefit data centers in the long run will provide for ordinary citizen? They may increase online capacity and internet access. But government, businesses and empowering AI are the main beneficiaries. 

It provides them greater access to personal privacy and to reshape information to fit their political and commercial goals. Do not fall for the line that AI is neutral. All computer algorithms are coded by human programmers with biases that influence what the end user sees and hears. 
I fear such data centers will further empower AI and other vested human interests to become our masters instead of our servants. If my concerns resembles a “Skynet” cliché, so be it. I leave with this quote to consider:
"Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them."— Frank Herbert, Dune 




Ron Shirtz

Rensselaer Falls