AI Contamination Threatens to Tarnish "Gorgeous Urban Black Areas," According to SZA
Article: Environmental Concerns and Allegations of Environmental Racism Surround xAI's Data Center in Memphis
Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, is under fire for alleged environmental violations at its data center in Memphis, Tennessee. The facility, known as Colossus, has been accused of releasing hazardous air pollutants, including formaldehyde, at levels exceeding EPA limits.
The operation of up to 15 turbines at the data center has been a point of contention, with local residents, civil rights advocates, and environmental groups raising concerns. SZA, the R&B singer, has also joined the chorus, using her Instagram platform to raise awareness about environmental racism related to AI.
Initially, xAI claimed the turbines were temporary and small enough not to require permits. However, after residents reported worsening air pollution, the Shelby County Health Department issued a permit on July 2, 2025, classifying them as "nonroad engines" to lessen restrictions. This permit has since been challenged by the NAACP and environmental groups, who argue that the turbines were misclassified, violating the Clean Air Act and posing health risks.
The NAACP accuses xAI of exposing majority-Black neighborhoods to hazardous emissions. They claim that the use of multiple gas turbines to power the facility has contributed to foul odors and declining air quality, disproportionately affecting communities already burdened by pollution.
SZA's message was a call to action, urging her followers to research the energy consumption and pollution caused by AI. She warned about the cost of convenience, stating that black and brown communities will bear the brunt of it.
The NAACP has demanded an immediate shutdown of xAI's Colossus data center in Memphis. They argue that the health risks posed by the alleged environmental violations outweigh any benefits the facility may provide.
The dispute highlights allegations of environmental racism, as the impacted communities are predominantly Black. SZA specifically mentioned Memphis as a city suffering due to Twitter's new AI system, adding weight to these claims.
In a related development, xAI recently purchased a 114-acre former natural gas power plant site in Southaven, Mississippi, close to Memphis. The site may relate to expanding infrastructure for the data center, but little is known about the company's plans for the property.
The situation remains dynamic, with continued advocacy seeking greater accountability and protection of residents' health and air quality rights. The legal challenges and public scrutiny are likely to continue in the coming months.
- Amidst the allegations of environmental racism surrounding xAI's Colossus data center in Memphis, there are growing concerns about the impact of AI on the environment, specifically climate-change, as SZA urges her followers to explore the energy consumption and pollution caused by AI, warning about the potential costs being borne disproportionately by black and brown communities.
- As the controversy over xAI's operations in Memphis persists, with accusations of environmental violations and health risks to minority communities, the purchase of a 114-acre former natural gas power plant site in Southaven, Mississippi, by xAI has raised further questions about the company's environmental practices and the future expansion of its infrastructure, casting a shadow over the historical implications of such technological developments in environmental-science.
