Thousands turn out in Edinburgh to protest against AI data centres

Innovation Minister Alyn Smith recently said data centres were “the whisky bonds of the AI sector”.

However protesters made it clear they disagree – carrying slogans such as “AI data centres threaten humanity” and “AI data centres: costing the Earth”.

Some attended to voice their opposition to plans for data centres in particular communities – including Cockenzie, East Lothian, and Larbert, Falkirk.

Kim Cairns, a campaigner for ‘Say No To Chapelcross AI Data Centre’, told BBC Scotland News her community was worried about noise, road closures and access problems during the construction phase.

She was also concerned about the noise the centre would generate when it was operational.

Kim said: “It’s not going to enrich anybody’s lives. For Chapelcross it’s the sheer size of it, the amount of electricity it’s going to need.

“At the moment it’s green fields with sheep and cows in it. It’s going to be a monstrosity on the environment.

“The air pollution, the light pollution – it’s just not needed.”