HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — From environmental concerns to how AI data centers could impact the local workforce, officials from Jobs for Justice East Tennessee say with no current way for the public to have a formal discussion about the topic, they’re doing it themselves by answering an questions residents may have.
“It’s really important that people are fully informed about what they are, the implications, and most importantly, with this discussion today, what the impact on the local jobs are going to be, ” Cofounder of AppPodlatcha Chuck Corra says.
According to event officials, the recently passed one year moratorium on AI data centers is a step in the right direction, but it only protects the unincorporated parts of the county.
As for projects currently underway, Nathan Shew with the Tri-State Musicians Union says the plan to turn the old Hamilton County Jail into a music studio could be beneficial, but if the AI portion of it isn’t checked, it could do more harm than good…