Thousands protest against large-scale AI data centers in Edinburgh

Thousands of people gathered in Edinburgh on Saturday to protest against plans to build large-scale artificial intelligence data centers in Scotland, amid growing concerns over their environmental and social impact.

Demonstrators carrying signs and wearing costumes assembled at the top of the Royal Mile before marching toward the Parliament in the Scottish capital.

The protest comes amid a wider wave of demonstrations across Europe against the expansion of AI infrastructure and concerns over its energy consumption and environmental footprint.

Campaigners voiced opposition to proposed developments in several Scottish communities, including Cockenzie in East Lothian and Larbert in Falkirk.

Scotland's data center debate has intensified as plans emerge for a facility at Chapelcross in Dumfries and Galloway, which could have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW), potentially making it one of the world's largest data centers.

By comparison, DataVita's facility in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, currently believed to be Scotland's largest, has a capacity of 12 MW.

The Scottish Greens and environmental campaign groups have called for a moratorium on large-scale data center developments, warning they could undermine climate targets and increase pressure on renewable energy supplies.

The Scottish government is expected to publish new planning guidance for data centers and has said it is developing a strategy to maximize their "public benefit."

Innovation Minister Alyn Smith has defended the sector, describing data centers as "the whisky bonds of the AI sector" and dismissing some criticism as "wild."

He told the BBC that comparisons with poorly designed desert facilities in the US state of Utah did not necessarily reflect the type of developments planned for Scotland.