Time to get serious about AI extractivism

The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) warns that AI infrastructure is following an extractivist economic model, citing environmental damage and lack of local benefit. It specifically highlights a planned US$25 billion OpenAI data centre in Argentina as an example of this trend. WACC advocates for national oversight, the protection of Indigenous rights, and a moratorium on new data centres until water and energy risks are mitigated.

• The growth of AI infrastructure is expanding the 'extractivist' nature of the digital ecosystem, moving beyond data monetization to cause physical environmental stress, including greenhouse gas emissions and water stress in Spain, Chile, and Mexico.
• OpenAI's announced US$25 billion mega data centre in the Patagonian region of Argentina is cited as an example of extractivism, as there is no clear evidence it will provide local employment, boost industrial production, or be subject to national oversight.
• WACC defines extractivism as an economic model that exploits resources in regions perceived as 'empty' or 'primitive' for the benefit of outsiders, often destroying ecosystems, creating social and health threats, and relying on weak or corrupt local institutions.
• WACC calls for states to implement guidelines protecting ecosystems, establish national oversight, mandate that data centres contribute to local development, and ensure the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples.
• Aligning with a July 2025 UN Special Rapporteur report, WACC supports a moratorium on the development of data centres until risks to climate change, aquatic ecosystems, and human rights are effectively mitigated.

APA

Miller, T. R. (2025). Time to get serious about AI extractivism. World Association for Christian Communication. https://waccglobal.org/time-to-get-serious-about-ai-extractivism/

Chicago

Miller, Terri R. Time to get serious about AI extractivism. World Association for Christian Communication, 2025. https://waccglobal.org/time-to-get-serious-about-ai-extractivism/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Miller |first1=Terri R. |title=Time to get serious about AI extractivism |publisher=World Association for Christian Communication |date=20 October 2025 |url=https://waccglobal.org/time-to-get-serious-about-ai-extractivism/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{miller2025time, author = {Miller, Terri R.}, title = {{Time to get serious about AI extractivism}}, publisher = {World Association for Christian Communication}, year = {2025}, month = oct, url = {https://waccglobal.org/time-to-get-serious-about-ai-extractivism/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }