Residents protest in St. Joseph against proposed AI Data Center Developments as part of nationwide demonstration

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- A group of concerned residents gathered in St. Joseph on Saturday to protest proposed data center developments across Northwest Missouri, joining a national day of action that organizers say included participants in more than 100 communities across 42 states.

The local protest centered on a proposed data center along Pickett Road, which has drawn opposition from a grassroots coalition that began with a small group of residents and has since expanded through social media.

Conni Muff, one of the organizers of the local effort, said the movement started with approximately four people and has grown into a Facebook group of about 2,500 members.

Muff described the opposition as nonpartisan, noting that the group includes both Republicans and Democrats, with attendance at the protest nearly reaching 100 people despite the heat.

She said the group’s primary goal is to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with data centers in residential areas.

"We're hoping that between all over the country, we can get people to understand the risks associated with data centers in their communities," Muff said.

Regarding the status of the proposal, Muff explained that the St. Joseph City Council recently discussed a possible moratorium but did not finalize one.

Instead, she said the council indicated a "hard pause" on the project while zoning regulations are reviewed, as current zoning does not specifically address data centers.

Muff expressed concern that once zoning is completed, the proposal could return unless further action is taken.

The group is currently circulating a petition that would require 2,500 signatures to place the issue on a local ballot.

Organizers have also launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal fees associated with the petition process.

Muff encouraged residents to join the group’s Facebook page and volunteer to help collect signatures.

Memphis Rich, a student at Missouri Western State University, said he learned about the proposal through a family member and decided to attend the protest because the proposed site is located approximately two miles from his home.

Rich cited concerns about energy consumption, water usage, and potential contamination, as well as the strain data centers could place on the local power grid.

"We already experience a lot of power outages there, just like the storms and stuff," Rich said. "And it's been proven that data centers that attack rural communities are causing more power outages because they consume so much energy."

Rich also spoke about the role of artificial intelligence in higher education, noting that many students use AI tools such as ChatGPT for assignments.

He said this trend is concerning to him because it reflects a reluctance among some students to engage in independent research or seek help from instructors.

Sophia Sample and Faye Siela, both high school students, also attended the protest.

Sample said she is opposed to data centers because of their environmental impact, including water and electricity consumption.

Siela echoed those concerns and added that she has seen reports of noise pollution and water quality issues in other communities where data centers have been built.

"I've seen people across America not have drinking water. It's going brown and disgusting," Siela said. "It's caused by something we do not need, something super unnecessary."

Both students expressed concern about the use of surveillance technology, such as Flock cameras, which they said are often associated with data centers.

Siela described the prospect of mass surveillance as "scary and dystopian."

On their generation's view of AI, Sample and Siela said opinions are divided among their peers.

While some students use AI for assignments and entertainment, others actively call it out and discourage its use.

Siela said that using AI on schoolwork is often met with social disapproval and can result in being shamed by other students.

"Just use your brain. You got something up there," Siela said. "At least two marbles. Maybe one."

The protest was part of a coordinated national effort, with organizers saying similar actions took place in dozens of communities across the country.

Muff emphasized that the group intends to remain engaged in the process and encouraged residents to participate through the petition drive and public meetings.

"Six of us started this process and we stopped that," Muff said, referring to an earlier annexation request. "Now imagine what it looks like with this many people involved."