Data Centers Go Nuclear (with Maia Woluchem and Dr. Livia Garofalo), 2026.03.09

We knew that the energy demands of data centers were preventing dirty energy sources from being sunsetted.  Now hyperscalers are reaching even further, resurrecting Pennsylvania's infamous Three Mile Island. Emily and Alex are joined by Maia Woluchem and Dr. Livia Garofalo, who have researched the impacts of data center construction across PA.

Maia Woluchem and Livia Garofalo are with the Trustworthy Infrastructures program at Data & Society. Their latest article, "Pennsylvania is perfect," is part of the New Internationalist's AI–themed issue.

References:

• Three Mile Island press release
• Sen. McCormick on AI investments in PA
• McCormick's wife Meta president

Fresh AI Hell:

• Amazon data center targeted by Iran
• "AI-powered bombing quicker than 'speed of thought'"
• Meta's AI glasses use human reviewers (See also: original Swedish reporting)
• Bernie posts video with Yudkowsky
• Grammarly offers fake advice as if from real writers
• Google data center water estimates
• "AI Doesn't Reduce Work—It Intensifies It"
• High schooler questions surveillance

Check out future streams on Twitch. Meanwhile, send us any AI Hell you see.

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Emily

• Bluesky: emilymbender.bsky.social
• Mastodon: dair-community.social/@EmilyMBender

Alex

• Bluesky: alexhanna.bsky.social
• Mastodon: dair-community.social/@alex
• Twitter: @alexhanna

Music by Toby Menon.
Artwork by Naomi Pleasure-Park. 
Production by Ozzy Llinas Goodman.