artificial intelligence (AI)

Nearly half of the power plants planned to supply electricity for data centers would be in Texas. Experts warn they will emit significant pollution that could harm the health of communities nearby.

Data centers use water to cool their massive arrays of computer servers. A state agency sent out a survey to figure out how much, but less than a third of the companies responded.

Most Oklahoma legislative attempts to regulate artificial intelligence stalled this session, even as other states pushed ahead despite President Trump's executive order discouraging state AI regulation.

Panasonic opened its 4.7 million-square foot plant in Kansas in July, but has not reached full capacity after the Trump administration dropped support for green energy and electric vehicles. Now, the company is trying to capitalize on rising demand for data centers.

Data center construction is unpopular among locals, and a majority of the facilities are being proposed in red, rural counties. That puts Texas Republicans in a tough spot, as the White House has encouraged states to let the centers flourish.

Panelists at Colorado SunFest say faster, AI-driven models are improving predictions but stress humans remain essential to interpreting the data and explaining climate risks.

West Texas has become a popular site for data center projects, but residents and city governments alike have questions they want answered before these proposals get approved. According to Lubbock's city manager, the development of one of these facilities in Lubbock will require collaboration and transparency.

Wichita police Sgt. Jeff Swanson is part of the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which has existed since 2000. In 2014, Swanson said, the task force received about 650 cyber tips. Last year it received more than 11,000.

Groups funded by artificial intelligence industry leaders have spent more than $2.8 million in the state, mostly on U.S. House GOP candidates who favor a light regulatory touch.

Pacifico Energy and other energy companies are rushing to build private power plants across the Lone Star State.