AI providers urged to show public benefit as US data centre opposition grows
At a global investment summit, TCW chief Katie Koch said 75 per cent of Americans oppose nearby data centres, urging AI firms to demonstrate public utility. Other leaders stressed the need for on-the-ground presence in hubs like Hong Kong and Shanghai to generate alpha.
While artificial intelligence infrastructure remains critical to US national security and economic growth, public dissatisfaction over neighbouring data centres is posing impediments to developments, according to Katie Koch, chief executive of TCW. She spoke on “The New Asset Management Playbook” forum at the 5th Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit.
Koch noted that 75 per cent of Americans hold negative views on data centre developments near their communities, stressing the importance of AI providers clearly demonstrating public utility to protect long-term growth.
Gregory Bond, chief investment officer at Man Group, said that generating scalable alpha requires an active presence on the ground in financial hubs such as Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Hendrik du Toit, founder and chief executive of Ninety One, observed that emerging economies avoided post-pandemic modern monetary experimentation, creating a more robust fiscal environment today.