The Next Frontier: Data Centers Powering Energy Innovation and Community Impact

This session explores how data centers can evolve from resource-intensive operations into partners that support workforce development, decarbonization, and community resilience.

As the AI boom fuels record growth in data center development, communities are grappling with the twin pressures of resource strain and economic opportunity. This session explores how hyperscalers and data center operators can shift from being heavy resource users to becoming proactive community partners—driving workforce development, sharing waste heat, supporting local decarbonization efforts, and creating inclusive benefits for underserved populations. We’ll highlight promising initiatives already underway, unpack where efforts are falling short, and identify bold opportunities for the sector to lead in building a more equitable and climate-resilient future.