More than 100 activists stormed a Microsoft data centre in the Netherlands on Friday, protesting against the expansion of artificial intelligence on the first day of a two-day demonstration.
An anti-AI group, Stop Dirty Data Centres, organised the protest, demanding a pause in the construction of large AI data centres. The group also planned to stage demonstrations in other countries across Europe.
“We’re calling for an immediate moratorium on large data centres in Europe!,” the group said in a statement on its website.
Protesters carried banners bearing inscriptions such as “Microsoft powers genocide” and “f- -k AI”.
The group demanded that data centre construction be suspended “until we, the people, have democratically decided what is needed to ensure AI and data centres serve people and the planet, not private greed.”
It also planned a march along Downing Street to protest against a proposed AI data centre in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, in the UK.
Demonstrations were also planned in Warsaw, Dublin and Denmark.
The group said it was not opposed to technological progress but wanted construction suspended until governments introduced strict regulations governing the industry.
Pure Data Centres, the firm backing the Microsoft data centre, acknowledged the protests and urged demonstrators to engage in dialogue to resolve their concerns.
“We respectfully ask those on site to leave safely and engage with us in dialogue about the development and any concerns they may have,” Pure Data Centre said in a statement.
Microsoft similarly issued a statement acknowledging the group’s concerns.
“Microsoft is aware of the demonstration at Westpoort Amsterdam. We understand that people feel strongly about the project, and we respect their right to express those views peacefully,” Microsoft said in a statement.
It added, “However, we do not condone any actions that are unlawful or that put people’s safety at risk. The wellbeing of everyone at and around the site, including workers, staff and neighbours, is our first concern.”
