For years we were told the digital economy was clean. Our digital lives have been increasingly moved to "the cloud." But there is no cloud. There are only buildings, power plants, transmission lines, substations, water systems, and the physical infrastructure required to support an increasingly digital world. As artificial intelligence accelerates, for the first time we are being confront with the physical footprint of our digital world and communities across the United States are being asked to absorb the consequences of an unprecedented buildout of hyperscale data centers. These projects require enormous amounts of land, electricity, water, and public infrastructure. Yet many of the conversations surrounding AI focus almost entirely on software, automation, and the future of work while ignoring the physical reality being built on the ground. In this episode of Exposure Points, Stuart Day explores the hidden costs of the AI boom and asks whether society is fully accounting for the impacts of these massive developments. Who benefits? Who bears the costs? How much influence should local communities have over projects that can fundamentally reshape their landscapes, economies, and public resources? From energy demand and water consumption to tax incentives, zoning, democratic accountability, and the concentration of power, this episode examines the questions many communities are beginning to ask as data center development spreads across the country. This is not an argument against technology. It is an argument for transparency, accountability, and informed public participation in decisions that may shape the future for generations. Joining Stuart is Karen Feridun of the Better Path Coalition - https://www.betterpathcoalition.org/ Support independent journalism at https://www.exposurestudios.org Disclaimer: Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure. Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization. We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing. We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at info@ohiovalleyallies.org for timely review and, if warranted, correction. We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities. While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action. #fracking #trucking #OhioRiverValley #Appalachia #PublicHealth #datacenters #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #CloudComputing #EnergyInfrastructure #Technology #EconomicDevelopment #EnvironmentalHealth #Democracy #Infrastructure #ExposurePoints #ExposureStudios
