Big Tech is Fighting Over Land, Resources, and Digital Infrastructure on Native American Land
Native American tribes all over the US have all recently been concerned about major tech companies constructing buildings near or, in fact, on the land of Native American’s land. Some tribes have been pushing back against the construction, causing delays.It has been happening over the past few years. It has had major development currently. Negotiations between the tech companies and the Native American tribes are still ongoing. Tech companies have specifically targeted Native American tribes that have available land, water, and energy. The tech companies target specifically those requirements because they need to use big amounts of land, water, and electricity to run AI systems. The indigenous tribes are hesitant due to the heavy amounts of water tech companies use.
As these major tech companies are rushing to build their massive buildings, Native Americans are still extremely hesitant. Tech companies promise new job opportunities and economic growth. However, they are using enormous amounts of water and electricity. This puts butt load of intense pressure onto all the Native American tribes. Mass consumption of limited resources could be dangerous. The tribes all around the United States are now stuck in the middle. Should they take short-term job benefits and have long term economic damages, or should they keep fighting back?
Many tribes have been split over this issue. Some tribes have been fighting back, starting more and longer delays, where as other tribes have already come to agreements with the large tech companies. Some tribes are still trying to renegotiate the agreements and benefits with tech companies. These tribes know about all the risks, and they could damage tribal land for future generations of tribal land.
These tech companies require huge amounts of land, electricity, and water. Many tribal lands offer lower land prices, and large areas that are in the open. Huge tech companies use about 1 to 5 million gallons of water per day which could be dangerous during droughts, or tribes already facing low water supply.
