AI boom puts pressure on water and electricity resources in Asia

Protests in Indonesia and Malaysia highlight the challenges accompanying the expansion of AI data centers, especially in areas facing pressure on water and energy resources. On the Indonesian island of Batam, dozens of residents protested outside the "Nongsa Digital Park" complex after repeated water outages.

Protests in Indonesia and Malaysia highlight the pressure that the expansion of AI data centers is placing on water and electricity resources in Asia. On the Indonesian island of Batam, dozens of residents protested outside the "Nongsa Digital Park" complex, which houses data centers and technology facilities, after repeated water outages left them unable to cook or bathe. AFP news agency quotes a source in the sector saying the technology zone gets its water from the Duriangkang reservoir, not from the drought-affected Nongsa reservoir, while some residents link the water crisis to the expansion of data center construction. Artisan Jonyardi Adiyenda Simbering Gorkinayayan (54) says residents initially welcomed industrial investments, but repeated water outages changed their stance, sometimes forcing them to forgo bathing due to water shortages.