Microsoft Data Centre Protest Hits Amsterdam
A Microsoft data centre protest in Amsterdam turned into a break-in on Friday, as activists stormed the construction site of a new AI data centre at the start of two days of rallies across Europe.
More than 100 activists gathered at the site, marched arm in arm, and then broke in. They climbed cranes, hung balloons and danced while police stood by. Some carried placards reading “Screw your data centre”. Reuters reported that the action opened two days of rallies against the rapid build-out of computing power needed for AI.
“These data centres are destroying our world. It’s becoming uninhabitable because of all the resources they consume. That’s why we’re here today,” protester Sam van der Beek said.
Microsoft data centre protest in Amsterdam
The site owner, Pure Data Centres, plans to invest more than $1 billion in the facility and said it was committed to engagement with local stakeholders.
“We respectfully ask those on site to leave safely and engage with us in dialogue about the development and any concerns they may have,” it said.
Microsoft said it understood people’s strong feelings and respected peaceful expression, but did not condone unlawful actions.
The Amsterdam action opened two days of rallies that form part of a growing global backlash against the rapid build-out of computing power needed for AI. Activist groups have announced actions in 16 countries on Friday and Saturday, according to the “Stop Dirty Data Centres” coalition, which brings environmental groups and digital rights campaigns together. Other planned actions include a march in Dublin, a protest outside the parliament building in Warsaw, and a demonstration against a different Microsoft data centre in Denmark.
Why campaigners oppose new data centres
Campaigners say data centres put pressure on electricity and water supplies. They also say the facilities compete with housing and other businesses for scarce resources, and threaten climate goals.
Technology companies argue the other way. They say data centres are essential to meet global demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, and provide critical infrastructure for businesses, governments and consumers. Campaigners also point to job losses and to the security risks of big tech firms concentrating so much power.
Stop Dirty Data Centres says it is not anti-progress and is not calling for existing data centres to be closed. It wants major construction halted until governments set clearer rules.
Tech stocks feel the backlash
The protests come as concern over AI drives a sharp sell-off in technology stocks. Shares fell sharply on Thursday, wiping $2.5 trillion off the Nasdaq, over concern that Democratic control of Congress could mean tougher regulation curtails the AI boom. The rout then spread to Asian markets.
Democrats are planning a flood of AI bills when they take control of Congress in January, covering data-centre electricity costs, safety testing and company liability.
Europe’s AI dilemma
Europe is split between its ambition to catch up with the US and Asia on AI and its wish to keep stricter controls.
Speaking to Reuters on Thursday, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said Europe needed more data centres to power AI development, though she added it needed to be done with care.
“AI, of course, is a super important technology and we need to have our own capacity,” Virkkunen said.
She added that citizens must be able to trust that their energy bills will not skyrocket, that there will be no blackouts because of data centres, and that the environment will not be destroyed.
A Google project in Finland faces a criminal probe over land clearances, and Italy and Portugal are tightening data-centre regulation. Microsoft has already pulled out of a UK data centre project that was hit by infrastructure delays. The Netherlands alone has about 200 data centres either planned, under construction or in operation, which helps explain why Amsterdam became the focal point of the protests.
The debate matters beyond Europe. Pakistan aims to train one million AI professionals by 2030, so it will need the same computing infrastructure that protesters in Amsterdam want paused.
What happened at the Microsoft data centre in Amsterdam?
More than 100 activists broke into the site on Friday, climbed cranes, hung balloons and danced while police stood by.
Why are activists protesting data centres?
Campaigners say data centres strain electricity and water supplies, compete with housing and businesses for resources, threaten climate goals, and concentrate too much power in the hands of big tech firms.
How many countries are involved?
Activist groups have announced actions in 16 countries on Friday and Saturday, coordinated by the “Stop Dirty Data Centres” coalition.
What has Microsoft said?
Microsoft said it understood people’s strong feelings and respected their right to express them peacefully, but it did not condone any unlawful actions.
