Alberta technology minister to hear residents’ concerns over AI data centres

Alberta’s Technology Minister Nate Glubish is set to hear from residents in the province’s central region tonight about the proposed development of artificial intelligence data centres.

Glubish is scheduled to hold the first in a series of town halls in Lacombe as the Alberta government continues its efforts to expand the province’s AI sector and attract major investments in large-scale computing facilities.

The data centres require significant amounts of electricity and have faced strong opposition from some residents, who have raised concerns about water consumption, pollution and the potential impact on electricity bills.

Critics have also questioned the government’s consultation process, arguing that public meetings are coming only after major data centre approvals and investment announcements have already been made.

Glubish has spent years developing Alberta’s AI strategy and promoting the province as a destination for technology investment.

Premier Danielle Smith has defended the government’s approach, saying the AI industry could generate billions of dollars in royalties and taxes, while using limited amounts of water and helping reduce electricity transmission costs.