AI whining is holding Ohio back. Get real!
I am sick and tired of following the extensive media coverage of AI and data centers.
The coverage is intensified by politicians trying hard to use the issue to improve their chances in the coming election. Public negative reaction toward AI and data centers is driven by mistakes committed by various levels of government that tried to lure data centers to the wrong locations by providing tax breaks and inappropriate incentives. To get out of this molasses, we need to accept and generally agree on the following facts and principles:
- AI is here to stay. Slowing progress in AI development will give the bad guys the edge. We can’t afford to fall behind.
- The world faced similar situations that transformed our lives, and we managed to adapt and improve. The Industrial Revolution is one example.
- We need to stop fearmongers from manipulating public opinion and scaring people, as they always do. Remember Y2K.
- We need reasonable guardrails on the development and use of AI.
- Existing rules should be applied to locating and operating data centers without exemptions. Existing zoning, where it exists, and environmental standards should be adequate to protect citizens.
- We should not break rules or provide public financial support to AI companies and data centers. They should be able to survive on their own.
Reasonable people should be supportive of these principles. We can’t afford to lose. The bad guys are racing forward.
George A. Elmaraghy, Columbus
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Data center fearmongering is holding Ohio back. Shut up already! | Letter
