263 – Earthkeepers versus AI Empires (Part 1)

About this episode

David and Kate discuss the implications of AI infrastructure and the emergence of resistance movements against extractive AI development.

In the first of a two-part discussion, David and Kate reflect on a recent convening in Zambia that brought together activists, technologists, researchers, and civil society groups concerned with the impacts of AI infrastructure and large-scale data centres. They discuss the influence of Karen Hao’s book Empire of AI, the emergence of global resistance movements around extractive AI development, and the distinction between AI as a useful tool and the broader systems of power shaping its deployment. The conversation highlights growing concerns around the resource demands and extractive dynamics associated with large-scale AI infrastructure.

People in this episode

Host: David

Guest: Kate

Topics covered

• AI infrastructure
• activism
• data centres
• global resistance movements
• extractive AI development
• resource demands

Keywords

• AI
• activism
• Zambia
• data centres
• Empire of AI
• extractive dynamics
• resource demands

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IDEMS International

Books & works: Empire of AI

Places: Zambia

More episodes of The IDEMS Podcast

• 270 – Human Capital and the Future of AI · June 12, 2026 · 25 min
• 269 – Why Better Data Matters · June 9, 2026 · 29 min
• 268 – What Lies Behind AI as a Product? · June 5, 2026 · 23 min
• 267 – The Forces Shaping AI · June 2, 2026 · 22 min
• 266 – Building Better AI with Less · May 29, 2026 · 28 min
• 265 – Connectionist Versus Symbolist AI · May 26, 2026 · 28 min