AI Data Center Threatens Birmingham Animal Shelter

0:00It's March 28th. Welcome in. This is Birmingham News Today, where local news meets AI. I'm Corey with the story. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society in Alabama fears a new data center could harm the animals in its care. Netherlands-based company Nebius wants to build an AI facility along Lake Shore Parkway right next to the society's upcoming campus. Constant noise from cooling fans running around the clock is the big issue here. The Humane Society is midway through constructing a single-site campus focused on healing traumatized pets through medical care and calm environments. Studies show steady, low-level hums, stressed dogs badly, leading to health problems and unwanted behaviors. People turned out in force for Thursday's zoning board meeting to voice worries. Society leaders say the noise might make shelter dogs look aggressive to adopters, slowing down placements and hurting the whole program. Nebius reps promise the top quality bill that locals could take pride in. The Humane Society fired off questions about noise and impacts, getting partial answers

1:04that morning, but details on decibel levels remain unclear. As talks go on, everyone hopes for solutions that protect the animals, nearby homes and property values without derailing progress.