A new CNBC survey finds broad voter opposition to nearby AI data centers, creating a political challenge for Trump and Republicans ahead of the midterm election.
Trump is pushing a massive AI buildout. His own voters are wary of what comes with it
Source: CNBC
Original reporting
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The Guardian
The datacentre next door: on the frontline of tech’s latest David v Goliath battle
The AI boom is pitting local residents against corporate giants seeking to power their energy-hungry networks – but one Welsh city is fighting back Dale Johnston opens the gate to his neat suburban garden on the western fringes of Newport in South Wales. There’s a trampoline and a slide on the lawn for his grandchildren, and chairs for him and his wife. He should be enjoying the light draining from the perfect autumnal sky – but almost his entire view is blotted out by a vast expanse of prefabricated panels. The 23 metre-high grey hulk looming over him and his neighbours is a hyperscale datacentre. It is heralded by the area’s Labour politicians as a job creator, yet all Johnston can think about is what he has lost: “Before, the sun used to come around here and it was lovely.” The way residents have been treated is “disgusting”. Continue reading...
The Guardian2 outlets
No unions, low taxes: why some of Britain’s top chefs are opening outposts in Gulf states
Leading restaurateur says Gulf countries actively help businesses set up, while east Asia has a better work ethic Some of London’s top restaurants are opening branches in Dubai because of a “tax tsunami” in the UK and better work ethic abroad, according to a leading restaurateur. James Robson, a co-owner of Fallow in St James’s Market, regarded as the capital’s hottest restaurant, serving 1,000 people a day, has just signed a deal to open an outpost in the Gulf. Continue reading...
The Guardian2 outlets
Is London really the most-taxed city? Banks accused of cherrypicking data
Lobby group’s figures, shared with John Healey, are misleading as they do not include major rival Paris, say campaigners A banking lobby group has been accused of cherrypicking data and trying to mislead the British government by claiming a tax rise for banks at next week’s budget would leave London less competitive than rival financial hubs. UK Finance, which represents banks including Lloyds, JP Morgan and Revolut, commissions an annual report tallying up all the taxes shouldered by a large bank, including corporation tax, social security, VAT and bank-specific levies. Continue reading...
CNBC
Nvidia's role as AI financier faces first big test as neoclouds take market hit
As Nvidia has gone from chipmaker to industry financier, some investors see the company taking on outsized risk tied to the AI buildout.
The Guardian2 outlets
Fine ‘headphone dodgers’ if you will, but to really tackle antisocial behaviour, Britain should look to Japan | Emily Bratt
Working in Japanese schools, I saw how teaching young people civic pride creates adults with consideration for others There are two types of people who listen to music in public: those who wear headphones and those who … are a word I probably can’t use here. “ Loudcasting ” – playing audio, watching videos or talking on speakerphone in public spaces – is a form of antisocial behaviour that drives eight in 10 of people in the UK crazy, and I’m glad Andy Burnham is one of those eight. But while I welcome his policy to fine “headphone dodgers”, I’m not convinced it will solve the problem. This behaviour isn’t only a nuisance, but a grave indicator of a deeper societal issue: the erosion of empathy. You can’t legislate civic pride into an individualistic culture where feelings of social disconnection are widespread. Continue reading...
The Guardian2 outlets
Can curry nights and canny advisers help Healey deliver a budget for everyday people?
The chancellor has promised ‘breathing space’ for households and small businesses but global events cannot be ignored You be the chancellor: play our budget game to see if you can balance the books Every Sunday night, the chancellor, John Healey, slips next door to Andy Burnham’s Downing Street flat where they order a curry and chew over politics on the prime minister’s sofa. An Indian takeaway is one of the totemic issues in British politics, a “treat” fewer people can afford, like a pint at the football or soft play for the kids. Continue reading...