This article raises an issue about the AI boom that I haven't seen much comment on.
More AI means more data centres.
In some cases, they'll go on land that could be used for housing.
For example, this one will go on land approved for 1400 new apartments: https://www.realcommercial.com.au/news/macquarie-technology-forks-out-240m-to-pick-up-data-centre-site-from-holdmark
"Macquarie Technology Group has added fuel to the country’s AI-driven data centre boom by snapping up a sprawling site in Sydney’s north once earmarked for high-rise apartments.
"ASX-listed Macquarie Technology will pay $240m for the Macquarie Park site that has been caught up in the complicated state planning system for almost a decade. The Talavera Road property, which it will buy via an option agreement, is near another data centre development it has in the suburb.
"The new property had been long earmarked for about 1400 apartments with Macquarie Technology saying it was bought from an established developer.
"Its removal from the pipeline will put pressure on the area’s capacity to contribute to housing targets, with the Albanese government sticking to plans for 1.2 million new homes over the next five years, despite Treasury warnings this could not be achieved with present policy settings in place."
#auspol #nswpol #urbanism #UrbanPlanning #cities #AI #LLM #ChatGPT
