Kevin O'Leary says opponents of his Utah data center are 'professional protesters' — and some are powered by AI

In a bold defense of his newly approved data center in Utah, prominent investor Kevin O'Leary, known from 'Shark Tank', has faced significant backlash from the community. He has labeled the dissenters as "professional protesters" and raised concerns that some opposition is fueled by artificial intelligence. Through a video shared on social media platform X, O'Leary addressed worries regarding the project's environmental impacts, emphasizing that he is well-versed in these issues due to his background in environmental studies. The proposed data center in Box Elder County is under scrutiny from residents concerned about its potential effects on local resources, air quality, and noise levels. These concerns are particularly pertinent as the demand for energy-intensive data centers continues to rise across the United States, driven by the expansion of AI technologies. Paul Morris, the executive director of Utah's Military Installation Development Authority, which is supervising the project, noted that the facility is projected to generate and consume over twice the current energy usage of Utah once operational. The data center is expected to require approximately 9 gigawatts of energy upon its full build-out. This ambitious project, spanning 40,000 acres, has been met with protests from local residents, as reported by KSL, during a recent board meeting where the facility was unanimously approved. O'Leary, whose firm O'Leary Digital is collaborating with the local developer WestGen, reassured stakeholders that sustainability is a top priority. He highlighted the use of advanced technologies, including air-cooled systems and diverse energy sources, in his other ventures across North America. Moreover, O'Leary pointed out that improvements in battery technology have made energy storage significantly more efficient, allowing for increased use of renewable sources like solar and wind. He further claimed that many of the protesters are not locals, suggesting that a large portion are paid demonstrators, and expressed suspicion that much of the online criticism is AI-generated, describing this as hypocritical.