AI is no ethereal entity that lives in “the cloud.” It is a machine that lives in an AI Data Center. Not just one data center, but several data centers across our nation. Over 4,000 data centers operate in the USA. Many of them were built before generative AI came on the scene and captured our imagination with its superpower to create text, images, art, video, and sound in response to our instructions. We never questioned the origin of its source material. But that’s another story. My focus here is on the AI Data Center.

AI Data Centers that power your favorite chatbot—OpenAI ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude—are massive structures. What’s more troubling is that these centers need vast expanses of land, as well as lots of energy, and water to power their AI machines. With lots of money to be made during the generative AI boom, data centers are sprouting up everywhere across the United States. Your community could be their next target.

Developers come with the promise of economic benefits and job opportunities that soon vaporize after construction is completed. Instead, the data center creates competition for energy and water supplies within the community. This not only results in soaring prices for electricity and water services, but also power outages and surges, and water shortages and contamination. As if that isn’t enough, residents close to the data center must also contend with a low frequency “hum” from cooling systems that run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residents complain that it’s a constant vibration or pressure sensation inside their homes. Some say it seems like it’s in their head. Then, there’s the all-night flood lights that disrupt their sleep.

After receiving thousands of emails from community leaders about this onslaught of AI Data Center development, American environmental advocate Erin Brockovich joined the fight for transparency and accountability. She created the website brochovichdatacenter.com to give people a platform to speak up and voice concerns about AI Data Centers within their communities.

Brockovich’s interactive map of major AI data centers in the USA focuses only on those that are either operational or under construction with locations where community members have shared concerns. As at July 22, 2026, there are 33 operational centers, 66 under construction, and 44 proposed/pending approval. Learn more about the facts and myths about AI Data Centers, how communities are fighting back, share photos (like the captioned photo), and report an issue in your community.

This gold rush for AI Data Centers is by no means unique to the USA. Other countries and regions are also cashing in.