xai

About the Campaign

On June 5, 2024, the Memphis Chamber of Commerce held a press conference to announce that xAI, a tech startup owned by Elon Musk, intends to build the world’s largest supercomputer in Southwest Memphis at 3231 Paul Lowry Rd. It has been said that this “Gigafactory of Compute” will provide the computing power needed for AI searches and other forms of machine learning like self-driving cars. To accomplish this, xAI needs 150MW of energy – enough to power 100,000 homes and 1 to 1.5 million gallons of water per day to cool the supercomputer. 

After being blindsided by the xAI news, MCAP and our partners Protect our Aquifer and Young Gifted & Green released a joint media statement raising concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding this deal and this project's potential environmental and public health impacts. It also appeared that our elected City and County officials, along with their constituents, had been left in the dark about this project. Since June of 2024 to the present, Memphis Community Against Pollution has hosted community meetings, participated in MLGW’s community meeting in Whitehaven and written to the Tennessee Valley Authority, Shelby County Health Department, Memphis, Light, Gas & Water, and Memphis Chamber to express our communities demands for inclusion and prudent environmental intentionality.

xAI Press

Elon Musk's AI factory causes controversy, DW, November 13

Elon Musks New AI Data Center Raises Energy and Water Concerns In Memphis, Newsweek, August 9

Permits not required for temporary xAI turbines,
Daily Memphian, August 10

Memphis leaders celebrate xAI but will its ‘burden’ go unchecked?,
MLK50, July 22

Environmental groups as MLKGW to work with Musk’s xAI to use clean energy and reclaimed water,
Local ABC24

Environmental groups concerned over potential impact of possible xAI supercomputer site in southwest Memphis,
Local ABC24, June 6

MLGW answers customer questions on incoming xAI supercomputer facility, one advocacy group says other key stakeholders were missing,
Local ABC24, August 20

National, local leaders ask Health Department to investigate xAI facility,
Local Fox 13, August 27

In Memphis, an AI Supercomputer From Elon Musk Stirs Hope and Concern,
Bloomberg, July 25

How Memphis became a battleground over Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer,
NPR, September 11