Seattle Becomes Largest US City to Pass Moratorium on New AI Data Centers
By
oliviarosane
Baker's choice. Dense with flavour, light on filler.
Summary
Seattle's City Council unanimously voted 9-0 to pass a moratorium on new large-scale AI data centers, making it the largest US city to do so. The council approved both a resolution to study data center impacts and an ordinance enacting the moratorium. Local activists celebrated by launching a People's AI Bill of Rights focused on fairness, privacy, transparency, and accountability in tech development. The vote followed strong public support, with approximately 50 community comments in favor of the measures.
Key quotes
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The council unanimously approved two measures—a resolution to study the impacts of data centers and an ordinance passing the moratorium itself—to rousing applause.
To celebrate, the network of local activists who fought for the moratorium launched a People's AI Bill of Rights to advocate for fairness, privacy, transparency, and accountability in technological development.
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