By Emma Glazer & Kei Kebreau\People’s World
Photos: NAACP\YouTube Screenshots
CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Elon Musk and his artificial intelligence company, xAI, are poisoning Black communities in Tennessee and Mississippi, just to make more money, according to a petition launched at the NAACP’s 116th convention here this week.
A giant data center built in Memphis by xAI is the latest technological development in a history of environmental devastation to Black communities.
But the NAACP is not falling for the “illusion of helping” narrative that xAI has presented to thwart a lawsuit over air pollution in Memphis. Instead, the organization is continuing the fightback against environmental racism and unjust health outcomes for Black communities.
For an entire year, xAI illegally operated 35 commercial gas turbines in Memphis without any permits. AI technology requires a great deal of electricity.
At the Memphis xAI data center, gas turbines are used to fulfil the energy needs. However, these turbines also generate air pollution.
It wasn’t until the NAACP filed its intent to sue that the company took serious steps to acquire any permits at all.
The struggle for environmental and health justice is not new to the South Memphis community…READ MORE…
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