The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has raised concerns about “Colossus,” the world’s largest supercomputer operated by Tesla CEO Elon Musk in Memphis, TN. The facility powers the artificial intelligence product GROK and is located in the predominantly Black community of Boxtown. Residents have expressed anxiety about potential health risks and environmental impacts from emissions. Musk’s plan for “Colossus” reportedly focuses on advancing AI capabilities to accelerate scientific discovery and compete with global AI leaders. The system aims to support xAI’s mission and Musk’s ventures like SpaceX and X. However, the project faces criticism for its environmental impact, including high water and power demands and reliance on gas turbines. This has raised concerns about air pollution and grid strain.
The NAACP has claimed that the facility releases harmful pollutants without the required permits. The organization has demanded an emergency shutdown, asserting that the project circumvents emissions regulations outlined in the Clean Air Act.
Musk’s company xAI has claimed compliance with existing laws, noting that it applied for permits for 15 permanent turbines with pollution controls as backup power. However, the company has reportedly not received the permits…