Virginia governor creates an AI task force and moves to restrain data centers

AI Summary

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger issued an executive order to empower communities to influence data center development and introduce regulations regarding noise and backup generators. The order also establishes an AI task force to evaluate state risks associated with rapid data center growth.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) ordered the state government to take steps that could empower local communities to have a larger say in data center development and slow down approvals in a state that is already home to the data center capital of the world. Executive Order 22 bans executive branch officials from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for data center projects, requires expedited noise regulations, and a review of backup-generation operations used by data centers, among other requirements. The order also establishes an AI task force responsible for evaluating how the state government can address risks to Virginians like … Read the full story at The Verge.