Amazon Builds Data Center Alongside OpenAI's Grove Cohort

The artificial intelligence sector continues its rapid expansion, sparking both innovation and significant debate over its societal and environmental impacts. Communities in Florida, for instance, are actively opposing new AI data centers, including a project in Palm Beach County and "Sentinel Grove" in St. Lucie County, due to concerns over their substantial water consumption and lack of transparency. Similarly, Indiana is quickly becoming a major AI data center hub, now hosting 72 facilities, with a new Amazon data center under construction on 1,200 acres near New Carlisle, raising similar environmental concerns about electricity and water use. Karen Hao's new book, "Empire of AI," critically examines Silicon Valley's aggressive push for AI, likening it to colonial expansion. Hao argues that companies like OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, along with figures such as Mark Zuckerberg, are driving AI's growth by exploiting labor and resources like land, energy, water, and data. This rapid infrastructure development and resource demand are central to the broader discussion around AI's hidden costs and its impact on the planet. Beyond infrastructure, AI's influence extends to the workforce and entrepreneurship. College students in Georgia express anxiety about AI's potential to displace jobs, particularly in computer science, though some remain hopeful about new opportunities. To address this, colleges like Georgia Gwinnett College and Kennesaw State University are introducing new AI courses. Meanwhile, a new wave of teenage entrepreneurs is successfully launching AI companies, leveraging generative AI tools and affordable resources, demonstrating a lowered barrier to entry for founders. Innovation continues with companies like Gecko Robotics, which secured $100 million in funding in 2022. They utilize AI and robots for safer and faster inspection of critical infrastructure, with their Cantilever platform acting as a specialized "small language model" for data analysis. OpenAI is also fostering new talent through its Grove Cohort 2 program, offering mentorship and early access to tools for individuals starting AI companies. Looking ahead, CES 2026 will showcase agentic AI, health, and robotics, while Public.com's CEO Jannick Malling anticipates increased AI use among retail investors in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Florida communities are actively fighting new AI data centers, such as "Project Tango" and "Sentinel Grove," due to high water consumption and environmental concerns.
• Indiana is emerging as a significant AI data center hub, with 72 facilities and a new Amazon data center being built near New Carlisle, raising concerns about resource use.
• Karen Hao's book, "Empire of AI," critiques the aggressive growth of AI, led by figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg, for exploiting resources and labor.
• College students in Georgia are anxious about AI's impact on future jobs, prompting colleges to add AI-focused courses and programs.
• Gecko Robotics, founded in 2013, secured $100 million in funding in 2022 for its AI and robotics solutions that improve critical infrastructure inspection.
• Teenage entrepreneurs are successfully launching AI companies, using generative AI tools and lowering the average age of company founders.
• OpenAI is supporting new AI company builders through its Grove Cohort 2 program, offering mentorship and early access to new tools and models.
• CES 2026 in Las Vegas will highlight transformative AI, agentic AI, and address the technology's societal and energy infrastructure challenges.
• AI is being integrated into various professional tools, including logo makers for brand building and platforms for retail investors, as discussed by Public.com's CEO.

Florida communities fight water-hungry AI data centers

Florida communities are fighting against new AI data centers due to their high water use. In Palm Beach County, residents temporarily stopped "Project Tango," a large AI data center planned for Loxahatchee. The developer tried to expand the project's zoning, which alerted the community. Another massive data center called "Sentinel Grove" was also proposed in St. Lucie County but faced opposition. Residents worry about the environmental impact and lack of transparency, as state law allows developers to hide their identities.

New book reveals AI's hidden costs and power grab

A new book, "Empire of AI" by Karen Hao, explores the human and environmental costs of artificial intelligence. Hao argues that Silicon Valley's push for AI, led by companies like OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, resembles colonial empires. She states that AI's rapid growth exploits labor and resources such as land, energy, water, and data without fair distribution. While leaders like Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, and Alex Karp promise a future free from unfulfilling work, Hao warns of the aggressive growth of AI infrastructure and its negative impacts. She believes there are ways to gain AI benefits without these colossal costs.

Georgia students feel anxious about AI and future jobs

College students in Georgia feel anxious about how artificial intelligence will affect their future careers. Many worry that AI will take away jobs, especially in fields like computer science. For example, Georgia Tech sophomore Parv Mahajan believes many promised jobs will not exist by graduation. However, some students, like Emily Chen from Kennesaw State, are hopeful that AI will create new jobs and act as a helpful tool. Colleges such as Georgia Gwinnett College and Kennesaw State University are adding AI courses and programs to prepare students for this changing job market.

CES 2026 showcases AI health and future tech trends

The CES 2026 event is happening in Las Vegas, bringing together about 150,000 attendees and 4,500 exhibitors. This global tech show, starting January 4, will highlight major topics like the transformative power of AI and agentic AI. Other key areas include health, mobility, robotics, smart glasses, spatial computing, and energy innovations. A legal tech journalist attends to understand how consumer tech trends will influence legal technology. The event also addresses challenges to AI and its impact on society and energy infrastructure.

Gecko Robotics uses AI and robots for better data

Gecko Robotics, led by CEO Jake Loosararian, uses AI to improve data quality for inspecting critical infrastructure. The company builds robots with ultrasonic sensors and magnetic wheels to collect millions of data points from bridges and pipelines. This process is much faster and safer than manual collection. Gecko Robotics then uses its AI-powered platform, Cantilever, to analyze this data. Cantilever acts as a specialized "small language model" focused on infrastructure integrity, helping clients make smart decisions about maintenance and repairs. Founded in 2013, Gecko Robotics has grown significantly, securing $100 million in funding in 2022.

Comparing AI logo makers for professional brand building

This guide compares various AI logo makers to help professionals create commercial-ready logos. It focuses on important features like vector formats, transparent PNGs, and clear commercial rights for trademarking. Key tools reviewed include Looka, Tailor Brands, Canva Logo Maker, and Wix Logo Maker. The article also highlights potential risks such as PNG-only file types and unclear licensing for stock graphics. Skywork AI is recommended as a complementary workspace for managing brand assets. This comparison helps users choose the best tool for their branding needs.

ForkLog reviews top AI and crypto articles of 2025

ForkLog published a review of its most compelling long reads from 2025, covering topics like AI trading and stablecoin nationalization. The publication noted that its articles in 2025 often explored subjects seemingly unrelated to cryptocurrencies, showing the market's growing complexity. These pieces drew on diverse experiences, including those from Bhutan and Mexican cartels, and discussed various economic theories. The review also featured interviews with crypto entrepreneurs and cypherpunks, offering a broad look at the digital asset world.

Indiana emerges as a major AI data center hub

Indiana is quickly becoming a major hub for artificial intelligence, now hosting 72 data center facilities with more on the way. Political leaders like Governor Mike Braun and Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. view this growth as a significant economic opportunity for the state. For example, a new Amazon data center is being built on 1,200 acres near New Carlisle. However, concerns exist about AI's impact, including potential job displacement, its ability to deceive, and the massive amounts of electricity and water these data centers consume. AI expert Hinton also expressed worries about AI's rapid progress.

Teenagers launch successful AI companies

A new group of teenage entrepreneurs is successfully launching their own AI companies, often before they can even drive. These young founders use generative AI tools, social media, and affordable startup resources to create products and attract users. For instance, a 15-year-old developed an AI-powered financial research platform that serves tens of thousands of monthly users. Investors note that the ease of building functional software has greatly increased, allowing these younger founders to move quickly. While some investors wonder about long-term scaling, many agree that AI is speeding up entrepreneurship and lowering the average age of company founders.

OpenAI opens applications for Grove Cohort 2 AI program

OpenAI announced applications are open for its Grove Cohort 2 program, designed for individuals just starting their AI company-building journey. This five-week program, hosted at OpenAI's San Francisco HQ, offers a strong network, co-building opportunities with OpenAI researchers, and mentorship from technical leaders. Participants will also get early access to new OpenAI tools and models. The program welcomes technical talent from all backgrounds and disciplines. Applications are due by January 12th, 2026, and the program runs from January 22nd to February 27th, 2026.

Public.com CEO discusses AI use for investors in 2026

Jannick Malling, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Public.com, discussed how investors will use AI in 2026. Speaking on Bloomberg Markets, Malling shared insights into how retail investors are adopting artificial intelligence tools. He also talked about the expected growth of cryptocurrency on the Public.com platform this year. Additionally, Malling provided his overall economic outlook for 2026.

Sources

• Thirsty AI data center runs into Florida community opposition
• AI’s Imperial Agenda
• AI is on the rise. Georgia college students say their anxiety is too.
• CES 2026: The Whole Wide AI World Along With Lots More
• Why Gecko Robotics leaned into artificial intelligence
• AI Logo Maker Comparison: Looka vs Tailor Brands vs Canva & More
• AI trading, stablecoin nationalisation and life after ‘Black Saturday’: the best long reads of 2025
• With 70-plus data centers, Indiana becoming AI power center
• Meet the teenagers leading their own AI companies
• Announcing OpenAI Grove Cohort 2
• How Investors Will Be Using AI in 2026