Musk brought ' biggest supercomputer'. Residents choking on pollution
a year ago
- #environmental justice
- #AI
- #Memphis
- Elon Musk's xAI transformed an abandoned factory in Memphis into the 'world’s largest supercomputer,' named Colossus.
- The facility, part of Musk's AI dominance quest, powers the 'anti-woke' chatbot Grok but faces backlash for environmental and health concerns.
- xAI installed gas-powered turbines producing toxic pollutants without air permits, sparking outrage in the majority-Black, industrial-pollution-burdened Boxtown community.
- Memphis officials tout economic benefits, including jobs and tax revenue, while residents and environmental groups highlight risks like increased asthma and cancer rates.
- The Trump administration's rollback of pollution regulations exacerbates concerns, with critics warning of a national trend of AI data centers harming marginalized communities.