artificial intelligence (AI)

Oklahomans are reporting sticker shock at the mailbox when opening their electric bills this summer. While artificial intelligence and the data centers needed to support them have become major subjects of public discourse, state lawmakers and regulators say they are only one part of a much larger explanation.

Around 100 people opposed to the proposed data center filled the Leavenworth County planning meeting room, pushing for more scrutiny on regulations. A countywide moratorium on data center development expired this week.

Evergy’s concerns aren’t unusual as AI platforms are proliferating. Artificial intelligence tools transcribe meeting notes, summarize emails or write better letters for the general public. But in business, the tools are developing strategic plans, helping attorneys write better court documents and assessing competition.

The president's comments to Punchbowl News come just days after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide pause of approval for data centers trying to connect to the power grid.

Oklahoma passed a law last year allowing energy-hungry facilities to build their own power. But as data center announcements sprout up across Oklahoma, most include plans to work with local utilities.

Critics say the governor must call legislators to Austin to pass state laws regulating data centers.

As more and more data center developers submit proposals to build in Texas, questions about how they will impact Texas' grid and contribute to drought conditions across the state are widespread.

On Monday, the governor ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to audit all data centers wanting to connect to the state’s power grid.

Some see the AI facilities as a sign of the apocalypse, others see an opportunity to advocate for environmental stewardship.

Data centers are no longer an emerging industry. Driven by cloud computing, crypto mining and artificial intelligence, they are spreading rapidly across Texas, and the projected cost of the tax break has climbed into the billions. On Monday, the state senate finance committee asked if it was time to end the sales tax break for data centers.