Comment on Imagine not being able to shower, because AI slop generator machines need that water!
bigfondue@lemmy.world 3 weeks agoYou could consider them an extractive industry like mineral mining. In this case the electricity and water are turned into profit. It creates some local jobs like construction, but the system administrators are likely hired from elsewhere. The R&D is likely being done elsewhere as well. Most of the money these businesses spend goes straight to Nvidia and the profit goes straight to a small group of executives and investors.
Laser@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
At least mining did create some local jobs, though I do think that the area itself loses out because it’s a finite resource and the environmental impact is always there. And as you said, these modern examples don’t really require a big local workforce. It doesn’t stimulate the local economy a bit.
sugarfoot00@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
Presumably they also pay some taxes, although it sounds like may of these places set up in unincorporated areas to avoid such things.
declaredreprimand@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
Often the municipalities will offer tax breaks in order for the mega corps to set up shop in their town, so they often don’t pay taxes.