Protests have sprung up across the UK in opposition to the construction of datacentres, including outside the Scottish parliament. Protests have sprung up across the UK in opposition to the construction of datacentres, including outside the Scottish parliament. Former chancellor, now senior figure at OpenAI, says UK needs datacentres to maintain'sovereignty' over AI tech Datacentre nimbys are holding Britain back, George Osborne has said in reaction to nationwide protests about the giant water-and energy-guzzling structures. The former Tory chancellor is now the head of AI for countries at OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT. His job is to represent the company to governments around the world and he also has a role in enabling the building of datacentres and other infrastructure.

Christine Lagarde asserted that Europe must develop its own AI technology and build more datacentres in order to nullify the threat of being cut off by the US or China. Christine Lagarde asserted that Europe must develop its own AI technology and build more datacentres in order to nullify the threat of being cut off by the US or China. Europe's dilemma over AI was rendered in stark terms this week. The head of the continent's central bank, Christine Lagarde, said Europeans have two options: shun the technology and lose out on growth; or embrace it and become dependent on tools developed by the US and China. The great debate over AI safety that has erupted in recent days threatens to make the choice moot.

Andrew Hastie has called for artificial intelligence that is run by Australians rather than Americans. Andrew Hastie has called for artificial intelligence that is run by Australians rather than Americans. Andrew Hastie says AI advised him to reply'congratulations!' to man who planned to end life with assisted dying Liberal MP speaks of AI's shortcomings as cyber chief tells inquiry the tech is needed to fend off'highly capable malicious cyber actors' When a man with a terminal illness wrote to his local MP Andrew Hastie, telling him he planned on ending his own life with voluntary assisted dying, Microsoft Copilot suggested Hastie reply with "congratulations!", "great to hear from you" or "that is wonderful news!". Hastie shared the episode at a parliamentary inquiry on Friday to underline the shortcomings of the American-run software as he called for AI run by Australians. The hearing offered the some of the most detailed explanations of the Albanese government's desire to bring Anthropic and OpenAI to Australia, in the face of calls to slow them down or shut them out.

Wed 16 Sep 2026 07.55 EDTLast modified on Wed 16 Sep 2026 07.56 EDT Large-scale datacentres will face mandatory environmental assessments before they can go ahead, the Scottish government has announced, amid growing public concern about the impact of the AI boom. Ahead of a vote on a moratorium on new hyperscale datacentres in Holyrood on Wednesday, the Scottish government has tightened rules for new projects by requiring any above 50MW to submit environmental impact assessments, but stopped short of agreeing to an outright halt. Scotland has seen a boom in planning applications for large datacentres as global investment in AI infrastructure has exploded. Datacentres are critical for storing and processing data used by AI. One scheme in Auchtertool, Fife, has been billed as the second-largest in the world, and is among more than 20 large datacentres proposed so far.

Anthropic's plan to build a datacentre in Queensland was announced by premier David Crisafulli on Wednesday. Anthropic's plan to build a datacentre in Queensland was announced by premier David Crisafulli on Wednesday. Premier describes deal as'major win' that will deliver more jobs for the state and put more energy into its grid Anthropic, the AI giant behind the large language model Claude, has done a deal to lease the site of its first Australian datacentre in western Queensland . The state premier, David Crisafulli, announced the decision in parliament on Wednesday. The proposed Western Downs digital park is to be built by Singapore-based Zerra DC near Dalby, north-west of Toowoomba, and will connect to the Braemar power station.

NextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares. NextDC has lodged an application with the Victorian government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares. Datacentre giant accused of using AI while lobbying for Victorian minister's support for hyperscale factory Exclusive: Correspondence requests state MP Melissa Horne to lobby on NextDC's behalf - but contains alleged AI-created errors Tue 15 Sep 2026 11.00 EDTLast modified on Tue 15 Sep 2026 11.02 EDT The Victorian jobs minister has accused one of Australia's largest datacentre companies of using artificial intelligence while requesting she lobby her colleague to approve a massive expansion of its "hyperscale AI factory". Correspondence between Victorian cabinet minister Melissa Horne and the chief executive of ASX-listed company NextDC, Craig Scroggie, reveals increasing sensitivity to community concerns about datacentres before the state election. NextDC has lodged an application with the state government for fast-tracked approval to expand its controversial datacentre known as M3 in Footscray to cover 10 hectares, drawing 225MW of power and running 24/7.

Christine Lagarde spoke in Vienna about Europe and AI on Monday. Christine Lagarde spoke in Vienna about Europe and AI on Monday. Europe must build own AI or risk getting cut off by US or China, says ECB's Lagarde Central bank chief says continent's AI dependency could give trade partners unprecedented leverage in negotiations Europe must develop its own AI technology and build more datacentres in order to nullify the threat of being cut off by the US or China, according to the president of the European Central Bank . Christine Lagarde said the continent needed AI models - the technology that powers AI tools such as chatbots - that were "good enough" to carry out most tasks and run from domestic datacentres. If Europe invests in its own AI tech, said Lagarde, "the threat of being cut off loses its force".

Increased production risks undermining moves to restrict Pfas in Europe, the UK and US, said ChemSec. Increased production risks undermining moves to restrict Pfas in Europe, the UK and US, said ChemSec. 'Tidal wave' of Pfas being launched to satisfy AI industry, campaigners warn Pfas companies are launching a "tidal wave" of forever chemicals production to meet demand from the AI industry, a campaign organisation has warned. Despite alarm over the chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, a survey of the 10 biggest manufacturers found most had plans to increase production. Many frame their investments around the "AI revolution", because of the role Pfas play in semiconductor production and next-generation datacentre cooling systems.

Campaigners say moratorium needed while the Scottish government analyses the environmental impact of datacentres. Campaigners say moratorium needed while the Scottish government analyses the environmental impact of datacentres. Thu 3 Sep 2026 13.48 EDTFirst published on Thu 3 Sep 2026 13.09 EDT Kat Jones may be the closest thing Scotland has to Erin Brockovich in 2026. Standing in the shadow of Arthurâ s Seat outside Holyrood, the 52-year-old is revving up the crowd of protesters around her. â Who is here from Lammermuir? Ayrshire? On Thursday, hundreds travelled to Edinburgh to call for an immediate moratorium on Scotlandâ s datacentre boom, which includes one project in Auchtertool, Fife, that has been billed as the second largest in the world.

In today's newsletter: Communities from Scotland to India are pushing back against datacentres, warning they threaten energy supplies and the climate This summer, datacentres have become targets of resistance across the world. Ever since the arrival of ChatGPT, big tech has been lobbying for the creation of enormous new facilities. Many governments claim they're essential in any country that wants to cash in on AI. Campaigners argue datacentres drain resources and exacerbate the climate crisis. The Scottish National Party has backed a moratorium on new developments; so has the Greens.