Fears are widespread about data centre impacts on Canada’s water, environment: poll
Leger’s online survey of 1,505 people also found 79% worry about environmental impacts and 44% support building the facilities.
- A recent poll found that 81 per cent of Canadians worry AI data centres will increase their household electricity bills, based on a Leger survey of 1,505 people conducted between July 10 and July 13.
- Beyond cost concerns, 79 per cent of respondents worry about environmental impacts such as excessive electricity and water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while 62 per cent of Canadians have heard of these facilities.
- Opinion remains divided on data sovereignty; 46 per cent believe building facilities would give Canada more control over data while 37 per cent disagree, and 44 per cent support local developments compared to 42 per cent opposed.
- While 58 per cent of respondents expect governments or utilities to supply electricity, 31 per cent argue companies should pay for their own energy, and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew rejected a data centre proposal in June.
- Most data centre expansion is planned for Alberta, where facilities could utilize natural gas rather than the electrical grid; "We're seeing evidence that there is a bit of a divided opinion amongst Canadians," said Andrew Enns, Leger's executive vice-president for Central Canada.
34 Articles
34 Articles
The Toronto Star
Fears are widespread about data centre impacts on Canada’s water, environment: poll
OTTAWA - A large majority of Canadians in a recent poll said they worry that artificial intelligence data centres will hike their power bills and harm the environment.
Winnipeg Free Press
Fears are widespread about data centre impacts on Canada's water, environment: poll
OTTAWA - A large majority of Canadians in a recent poll said they worry that artificial intelligence data centres will hike their power bills and harm the environment.
By Anja Karadeglija OTTAWA — A large majority of Canadians are concerned that artificial intelligence data centres will increase their electricity bills and harm the environment, according to a recent poll. In a probe by Léger, 81% of respondents expressed concern about the prospect that [...] The post Canadians are worried about the impact of AI data centres appeared first on Le Charlevoisien.
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