Kevin O’Leary: Misinformation about data centers only provides agitation

Kevin O’Leary, chairman of O’Leary Ventures and a television personality, has attributed the growing backlash against data centers in rural U.S. towns to misinformation. Speaking to NewsNation’s *The Hill* on Tuesday, O’Leary questioned who is funding false claims that agitate communities opposing these projects, which he described as essential for AI development. Earlier this month, O’Leary secured approval for a data center in Utah, despite protests from residents concerned about water depletion, farmland loss, and traffic congestion. The project site consists mostly of privately owned, unincorporated land. A Pew Research Center survey reveals that 67% of the U.S.’s over 3,000 data centers are located in rural areas, primarily to support AI infrastructure. O’Leary dismissed opposition as unnecessary, stating the U.S. lacks sufficient power capacity to meet demand. He emphasized that AI-driven advancements—such as cancer research, universal education, and economic productivity—require more computing power, which data centers provide. AI leaders have reportedly acknowledged shortages in computational resources, reinforcing the need for expanded facilities. The entrepreneur also highlighted broader benefits, including improved healthcare, education, and economic efficiency through AI. He argued that data centers are critical to unlocking these advancements, despite local resistance driven by perceived environmental and community impacts.