This event is co-sponsored by the Institute for People and Technology and the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems at Georgia Tech.

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The growth of AI and other data intensive industries has increased demand for data centers the world over, and “metro Atlanta has emerged as the world’s second-largest data center market[1].”  This has created both opportunities for some companies, municipalities, and communities while simultaneously posing social and policy challenges.

This event will bring together people from academia, industry, government, and other organizations to discuss the future of data center sustainability, particularly from a social and policy lens, and to debate methods to help ensure equitable growth where the rewards and costs associated with this massively growing industry are shared across populations and communities. This is particularly important, as many community discussions about data centers focus on water and energy sustainability, while overlooking issues of policy, social, and community sustainability.

Our discussions will focus on both the local issues here in Atlanta and lessons learned and best practices we can draw from across the globe.

Expect engaging conversations pointing to a shared understanding of:

• Current and future social and policy challenges and opportunities related to data centers;
• An array of solutions and strategies to address the identified challenges;
• Perspectives and lessons learned from Atlanta and around the globe regarding the political and social aspects of data centers;
• Best practices and considerations for creating effective mechanisms for community engagement with data center stakeholders.

Event webpage with agenda and speaker details: https://research.gatech.edu/ipat/data-ctrs-future-apr2026

<RSVP> for the event here >>