Data Centers in the Public Interest

This essay prepared by Sanjana Paul, Data Centers in the Public Interest, examines how the rapid expansion of data centers can be governed in ways that better serve affected communities and the broader public.

The essay develops a framework for defining a “data center in the public interest,” arguing that decisions about siting, resource use, ownership, and operation should prioritize public welfare rather than solely private return.

Drawing on concepts such as public interest technology, Community Benefits Agreements, environmental justice, the public trust doctrine, and community refusal, the essay considers how communities could be given greater authority over whether and how data centers are developed. It distinguishes among host communities, supply-chain communities, and the broader publics affected by how computing infrastructure is ultimately used, highlighting the different benefits and burdens experienced by each.

Ultimately, the essay proposes a more transparent, equitable, and democratic model for computing infrastructure in which communities have real influence over development. It also considers when essential computing infrastructure may require a broader model of public provision rather than private development.

Read the full essay below: