Microsoft(US:MSFT) 虎嗅APP·2026-01-16 09:52Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the growing tension between tech giants, particularly Microsoft, and local communities regarding the construction of data centers, emphasizing the need for responsible practices that benefit both technological advancement and community welfare [4][6][26]. Group 1: Microsoft's Community-Focused AI Infrastructure Plan - Microsoft President Brad Smith announced the "Community-First AI Infrastructure" plan, which includes five commitments: no electricity subsidies, reduced water usage, no tax breaks, job creation, and community feedback [5]. - The company aims to ensure that the benefits of AI infrastructure development outweigh the costs for local residents, promising not to raise local electricity prices and to cover additional electricity costs incurred by data centers [5][25]. - Microsoft has already implemented some of these commitments in Arizona, collaborating with local authorities to repair pipeline leaks and reduce freshwater loss [5][8]. Group 2: The Data Center Investment Surge - Major tech companies are engaged in an unprecedented data center investment race, with projected capital expenditures reaching $400 billion by 2025, primarily for AI infrastructure [8]. - The total capital expenditure for the five largest cloud service providers is expected to exceed $600 billion this year, marking a 36% increase from the previous year [8][9]. - Data centers' electricity consumption is projected to rise dramatically, with estimates suggesting that by 2026, consumption will exceed 250 terawatt-hours, and by 2030, it could reach 400-426 terawatt-hours, accounting for 6.7%-12% of the total U.S. electricity consumption [9][10]. Group 3: Community Challenges Amid Data Center Growth - Communities are facing significant challenges due to the rapid expansion of data centers, including rising electricity prices and water resource depletion [9][10]. - In areas with dense data center activity, wholesale electricity prices have surged by up to 267% over five years, with residential electricity costs projected to rise by 13% in 2025 [9][10]. - The water consumption for cooling data centers is also alarming, with estimates suggesting that by 2028, it could double to between 129 million and 258 million tons [10]. Group 4: Local Community Reactions - In Arizona, local residents have expressed strong opposition to data center projects due to concerns over water usage and environmental impact, leading to the rejection of certain proposals [13]. - The disparity between resource consumption by data centers and the lack of basic utilities for nearby communities, such as the Navajo reservation, highlights the inequities created by tech investments [12]. Group 5: Other Tech Giants' Practices - Other tech companies like Google and Meta are also facing scrutiny for their resource consumption, with Google using approximately 24.2 million tons of water globally in 2023, 95% of which was for data centers [21]. - Critics argue that the water compensation strategies employed by these companies are insufficient and that transparency regarding water usage is lacking [22]. Group 6: The Need for a New Social Contract - The article emphasizes the necessity for a new social contract between tech companies and communities, where the costs of resource consumption are shared more equitably, and local benefits are prioritized [26]. - Microsoft's commitments serve as a potential model for other tech giants, suggesting that responsible practices can lead to a more sustainable relationship with local communities [28].