Left hand, right hand: Virginia cools on data centers even as state policy promotes the AI that requires them

Virginia is grappling with the need for data centers as it invests heavily in artificial intelligence through state funding and educational programs, but there's growing resistance to these facilities. Despite the state's commitment to fostering AI, local communities are increasingly wary of the environmental and economic impacts of building data centers. This tension highlights the broader challenges states face in balancing technological advancement with public concerns and infrastructure development.