Attendees view an AI data center at the SK networks stand during the MWC (Mobile World Congress), March 3, 2025.
MANAURE QUINTERO/Getty Images
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MANAURE QUINTERO/Getty Images
Attendees view an AI data center at the SK networks stand during the MWC (Mobile World Congress), March 3, 2025.
MANAURE QUINTERO/Getty Images
Billions of tech dollars flowing into a community to build data centers should transform a local economy … right? Well, maybe not.
On today’s episode: Why data centers create few permanent jobs. And why communities might want them anyway.
Related episodes:
Why China’s DeepSeek AI is such a big deal (Apple / Spotify)
Is AI overrated? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
