Technology will soon replace neurons.Move over, corn and soybeans—Indiana’s farmland is now being transformed into a hub for artificial intelligence. Amazon is leading the charge, constructing a massive AI data center complex spanning 1,200 acres of former cropland. The project, designed to support startup Anthropic’s quest to build an AI as advanced as the human brain, is one of the most ambitious tech infrastructure efforts in the country. So far, seven data centers have been built, with plans for around 30 more. The scale is staggering, requiring four separate construction firms working at breakneck speed. “I don’t know if they’re competing for cash or a steak dinner or what, but it’s crazy how much they’re getting up,” said Bill Schalliol, a local economic development official. “Steel starts to go up here, the next day steel’s going up over there.” Amazon isn’t stopping in Indiana—similar AI data center complexes are planned in Mississippi as the company races against tech giants like Meta and OpenAI to build the next generation of AI infrastructure. But these data centers come with major challenges. They’re energy gluttons, consuming enough electricity to power millions of homes—Indiana’s complex alone will use 2.2 gigawatts. They’re also incredibly thirsty, relying on vast amounts of water for cooling. Amazon is using less advanced chips to avoid complex cooling systems, but the demand on local water supplies is already causing problems. Residents have protested the destruction of wetlands for construction, and some report wells running dry as Amazon’s water usage strains local resources. With AI’s explosive growth, debates over energy and water use will only intensify—not just in Indiana, but in communities worldwide facing the same dilemma. The AI gold rush is here, but at what cost? The post Amazon’s AI Quest to Rival the Human Brain Is Eating Up America’s Farmland appeared first on Anomalien.com.