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Residents press commission on data centers and surveillance concerns
Summary
During public comment residents urged the commission to scrutinize data centers and 'large language models,' raising concerns about data use, library access, and the need for more substantial public engagement; staff pointed to a July 30 virtual workshop and a council study session.
Several residents used the public-comment period to press the commission about data centers and broader technology impacts.
Resident Lynn Doherty said the public should not conflate large language models with 'true AI' and urged scrutiny of data-center projects and their effects on books, access to information and surveillance. "We do not have true AI at this time. We have what we call large language models," Doherty said, adding that data centers raise questions about who controls digital copies of historic books and whether residents will lose access. Another resident, Randy Shaffer, described concerns about a proposed generator installation associated with a data center project and gave dimensions and fuel-use estimates for large diesel generator units.
In response staff thanked speakers and announced a virtual workshop on data centers scheduled for July 30 (6–8 PM) and a City Council special study session on data centers on Monday (6 PM), encouraging residents to participate and submit questions.
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