The Data Center Next Door | Episode 6: The AI Data Center Pushback

About this episode

This episode explores the animosity surrounding data centers and their impact on communities in relation to artificial intelligence.

In our Season 3 finale, we explore what it is about data centers that has been creating animosity across the country. Is it the pushback against what powers artificial intelligence…or is it something else? You can follow us on Instagram at⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠ ⁠⁠⁠. Additional resources from USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication: ⁠https://climatecenter.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Data-centers-guide.pdf⁠ ⁠How to Create a Climate Podcast⁠ ----- Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by me, Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication. USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our supervising producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Imperial Valley College student Tahjah Fortune is our production assistant. This episode was directed and story edited by Mallory Carra. It was edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline. Technical supervision was provided by Sebastian…

People in this episode

Host: Charles Zukoski

Topics covered

• data centers
• artificial intelligence
• community pushback
• climate journalism
• technology impact

Keywords

• data centers
• artificial intelligence
• community pushback
• climate journalism
• technology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Southern California, USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication

More episodes of Electric Futures

• Episodio 8: El Centro de Datos en la Cuadra · May 8, 2026 · 26 min
• Episode 7: Electric Futures Live! Everything You Need to Know About Data Centers · April 23, 2026 · 52 min
• The Data Center Next Door | Episode 5: Will AI Bring Jobs to the Valley? · April 15, 2026 · 43 min
• The Data Center Next Door | Episode 4: Not in My Backyard · April 15, 2026 · 1h 3m
• The Data Center Next Door | Episode 3: Water is for Fighting Over · April 15, 2026 · 45 min
• The Data Center Next Door | Episode 2: The Tech Behind an AI Data Center · April 15, 2026 · 59 min