CITIZENS NEWS

Retired Air Force Colonel Warns Data Centers Could Put Nearby Residents at Risk

By chasecodewell // 2026-10-11

Living near an artificial intelligence (AI) data center already comes with several potential drawbacks [1]. Some facilities produce constant, high-pitched noise, while others rely on large diesel generators that release air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Nearby residents may also face higher electricity bills as the demand for power increases [1]. Recently, a retired Air Force colonel has warned that people living near artificial intelligence data centers could be targeted if a rogue artificial intelligence (AI) system attempts to protect itself and its infrastructure, according to a report by the Texas-based Collapse Survival Institute [1]. The report, written by retired Col. Drew Miller, states that data centers may become ground zero if a malicious or "misaligned" AI breaks out, and that residents living near those facilities could be treated as proxies for human control and resistance [1]. Similar warnings have been issued by other researchers, including Anthropic alignment science lead Evan Hubinger, who stated that AI could kill all humans within the next decade [2].

Report Details Potential Data Center and AI Risks

The Collapse Survival Institute report, described in an article by Futurism.com, states that data centers could become ground zero if a malicious or misaligned AI breaks out [1]. Broader concerns about AI control have also been raised by researchers and industry figures who say capabilities are advancing at a pace that could lead to systems surpassing human intelligence within the next few years [3]. The report’s recommendations reflect a broader pattern of concern about the rapid data center buildout, which has drawn opposition from residents across the country over noise, emissions, and electricity costs [4].

Calls for Stronger AI Safeguards

To address these concerns, Miller urges Congress to halt construction of new AI data centers temporarily. He also calls for mandatory emergency shutdown systems for advanced AI models and greater transparency from leading AI laboratories [1]. The report additionally considers the possibility of military strikes against AI facilities if governments believe a system poses an immediate danger. It proposes international cooperation as one possible response to such a crisis [1]. Miller's recommendations extend to personal preparedness. The report encourages people to live farther from major AI infrastructure and suggests that rural residents could reduce their exposure by maintaining self-sufficient lifestyles [1]. Its accompanying recommendations even discuss using firearms against drones or robots that a rogue AI might deploy.

Context and Skepticism

Electricity consumption by data centers in the United States has significantly increased, posing challenges for grid operators and utilities, according to a recent report [5]. The International Energy Agency found that data centers drove a substantial portion of that demand growth [5]. Data center construction has also raised concerns about water consumption, with some analysts disputing claims that the facilities do not use water [6]. Even in the absence of a systemic collapse, Miller wrote that there are other reasons not to live near a data center, an issue that has mobilized residents in states like Virginia, which has the world’s highest concentration of data centers [7]. Unfortunately, the data center buildout continues, with companies like Google exploring experimental orbital data centers and the federal government extending loans to revive nuclear plants to power AI facilities [8][9].

References

1. Retired Air Force Colonel Warns Americans That It’s Dangerous to Live Near Data Centers Because You Could Be Targeted or Killed. https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/retired-air-force-colonel-dangerous-live-near-data-centers
2. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Rejects AI Extinction Claims. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-09-23-nvidia-ceo-huang-rejects-ai-extinction-claims.html
3. AI Capabilities Accelerate Toward Superintelligence Raising Concerns Over Control - NaturalNews.com, May 18, 2026
4. Retired Air Force Colonel Warns Americans That It’s Dangerous to Live .... https://article.wn.com/view-scrap/2026/10/07/Retired_Air_Force_Colonel_Warns_Americans_That_It_s_Dangerou/
5. Report Data Center Electricity Demand Rising Impacting Grid Capacity and Policy Debates - NaturalNews.com, April 22, 2026
6. The Shocking Truth About Water-Guzzling Hyperscale Data Centers. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-09-03-shocking-truth-about-water-guzzling-hyperscale-data-centers.html
7. Why more residents are saying 'No' to AI data centers in .... https://www.npr.org/2025/07/17/nx-s1-5469933/virginia-data-centers-residents-saying-no
8. Google to Launch Experimental Satellite Data Center on SpaceX Falcon 9. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-09-25-google-to-launch-experimental-satellite-data-server.html
9. Google’s revived nuclear power plant gets $1.9B loan from US government. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/08/googles-revived-nuclear-power-plant-gets-1-9b-loan-from-us-government/

Explainer Infographic

glitch artificial intelligence collapse preparedness surveillance prepping survival cyberwar big government Safety standards SHTF emergency preparedness AI systems dangerous tech giants data privacy information technology Big Tech computing future tech safety measures dangerous tech digital prepping rogue AI Drew Miller AI risks AI safety AI- data center AI labs rogue agents AI controls Collapse Survival Institute mandatory kill switch infrastructure requirements collapse triggers