As we all swelter in the current heatwave, worrying that much worse may come before this summer is out, concern about what the accelerating expansion of huge data centres means for our climate is increasing. So too are worries about the impact of AI on jobs and on our society. All these issues will come together in a conference on AI in Manchester this Saturday
Owen Espley of Global Action Plan, who will be speaking at the conference, says,
Many people are aware that these giant data centres will consume a vast amount of electricity, and that’s a massive issue, but people also need to be aware that one hyperscale data centre could consume as much water as 10,000 households. And many of them are set to be built in parts of the UK which are already water stressed
How much power should we give the Big Tech companies
The government may have announced its intention to “mainline AI into the veins” of the UK, but there are many who are deeply worried by the power of the tech companies and their impact on climate, conflict, jobs and culture
‘This is not Inevitable – Standing up to AI and Big Tech’ takes place at the Mechanics Institute from 10.30am on Saturday June 27th. It forms part of the Trade Union Year of Climate Action and is being organised by the Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group and Greater Manchester Climate Justice Coalition.
The first speaker will be Anne Alexander, a researcher and journalist who is currently working on a book on the AI arms race. She will be joined by Dr Rory Gibson, Coordinator of Medact (Medical Action for Global Security) who will share the deep concerns of both doctors and patients about the role of US company Palantir in our NHS. This is a company primarily known for its involvement in surveillance and war and is closely associated with Israeli destruction of Gaza, including most of its hospitals.
Climate damage caused by AI
Mary Stevens is Head of Innovation at Friends of the Earth. Speaking alongside Owen Espley, she will highlight some of the damage caused to the climate by AI across the world, but also examine how we might use artificial intelligence in a positive way for the environment, if we could wrest some of the control from tech companies, and place it in the hands of communities.
The final session of the day will look at how AI is threatening jobs across a wide range of sectors, with trade union speakers including Simeon Gill, President of University of Manchester UCU. This union has established ten principles for the use of AI in education to protect the integrity of students and staff; Laurence Bouvard, Equity, will reflect the opposition throughout the actors’ union to the use of body scanning and appropriation of their voices. Other trade union speakers will include Abigail Simmons, United Tech and Allied Workers, UTAW is part of the Communication Workers Union, and was set up in 2020 as the first ever union to specifically represent tech workers.
Everyone can play a role fighting back
“We are really excited about this conference,” said Charlotte Smith, Joint Co-ordinator of Greater Manchester Climate Justice Coalition and a leading member of the Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group. “We have some great speakers and over 100 people registered to take part. We hope that everyone will leave the event feeling that they can play a role in fighting back against the remorseless, and often harmful, encroachment of AI into every aspect of our lives.”
A press release by Campaign Against Climate Change
