Data Center Watch Unfunded, Separate from 10a Labs' AI Risk Services
It feels like the data-center debate has finally slipped out of niche forums and onto the policy front page. In the last few months, a few watchdog groups have started to list the power use, cooling needs and the way machines that train today’s models tend to cluster in certain regions. Some critics say that, without clear oversight, the AI-driven compute boom could outstrip existing rules, leaving nearby communities to foot hidden costs.
Against that backdrop, a new effort called Data Center Watch appeared, promising an independent ledger of where facilities sit and what environmental impact they have. The funding story, however, has raised a few eyebrows. For example, 10a Labs usually sells risk-analysis services to AI firms, yet the latest report by Miquel Vila suggests this project might be running on a different model.
Vila notes a noticeable shift in momentum since the group’s launch, hinting that the venture could be operating without the typical client contracts that usually support consultancy work.
(While 10a Labs does offer risk analysis for AI companies, report author Miquel Vila says that the Data Center Watch project is separate from the company's main work, and is not paid for by any clients.) But this week's report finds that the tide has turned sharply in the months since the group's first public output. The second quarter of this year, the new report finds, represented "a sharp escalation" in data center opposition across the country. Data Center Watch's first report covered a period from May 2024 to March of 2025; in that period, it found, local opposition had blocked or delayed a total of $64 billion in data center projects (six projects were blocked entirely, while 10 were delayed).
The Data Center Watch effort might end up shaping policy, but it could also disappear if the money never comes. The report points out that the group runs apart from 10a Labs’ AI risk services and doesn’t take any client cash, a detail that makes its future look shaky. Peter Hubbard’s win on the Georgia Public Service Commission does hint at a political shift, yet locals are still complaining about PSC rate hikes that haven’t been fixed.
Hubbard’s campaign said voters are paying more attention to data-center questions, which seems to give the issue some momentum. Still, the analysis stops short of showing how a watchdog with no budget could actually sway regulators. Miquel Vila clarified that Data Center Watch is kept separate from the firm’s main work, but the piece offers no clue about alternative funding sources.
So, we’re left wondering whether the group can keep going or if it’s just a brief flash of concern. The record only notes a recent swing in sentiment, and the real impact remains uncertain.
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Common Questions Answered
What is the relationship between Data Center Watch and 10a Labs' AI risk services?
Data Center Watch operates independently from 10a Labs' AI risk services and does not receive any client funding. According to report author Miquel Vila, the initiative is a separate effort focused on monitoring data‑center impacts.
Why do watchdog groups consider transparent oversight of AI‑driven compute important?
Watchdog groups argue that without transparent oversight, the rapid increase in AI‑driven compute could outpace existing regulations, imposing hidden power, cooling, and geographic costs on local communities. They emphasize that clear data‑center reporting is needed to prevent unaccounted environmental and economic burdens.
What did the second‑quarter report reveal about data‑center opposition across the United States?
The report identified a "sharp escalation" in data‑center opposition during the second quarter of the year, indicating a growing number of communities and advocacy groups pushing back against new AI compute facilities. This surge suggests heightened public scrutiny of the sector's expansion.
How might Peter Hubbard's victory on the Georgia Public Service Commission affect Data Center Watch's policy influence?
Peter Hubbard's recent win signals a shift in political representation that could be favorable to Data Center Watch's goals, as it may bring more attention to rate‑hike grievances and data‑center regulation. However, the initiative's lack of funding remains a critical factor in determining its long‑term policy impact.