Musk's xAI and SpaceX face a lawsuit over noise from their data center.

      The opposition to AI data centres has escalated to a new level with a class-action lawsuit. Residents of Mississippi have filed a suit against Elon Musk's xAI and SpaceX, alleging that a gas-powered plant supplying energy to nearby data centres produces an "omnipresent and inescapable" noise that has negatively impacted their health and lowered their property values.

      The lawsuit, which was disclosed in federal court in Oxford, Mississippi, on Tuesday, was initiated by three residents on behalf of a class they believe includes over 10,000 individuals. The complaint accuses the companies of negligence and creating a public nuisance due to continuous noise and vibrations.

      "The AI boom is causing chaos in communities throughout the United States," the complaint states. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for emotional distress and diminished property value, along with a portion of the profits generated by the plant.

      The $20 billion plant, located in Southaven, received significant investment from xAI, with support from Mississippi's governor, Tate Reeves. The plant’s gas turbines supply power to data centres in and around the town, just across the state line from Memphis, where xAI's Colossus supercomputer operates a fleet of methane turbines that has faced its own pollution-related complaints.

      xAI and SpaceX have not responded to requests for comment, and Musk is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

      "Our homes are intended to be our refuge from the outside world," stated Robert Wiygul, an attorney representing the residents. "When they are constantly invaded by noise, it robs us of the essential peace that contributes to a good and decent life."

      This lawsuit highlights a growing conflict spreading across the nation. Over 70 cities and counties have enacted bans or moratoriums on new data centres, Seattle’s city council voted unanimously this week to halt them, and Nashville’s zoo is opposing a facility next door.

      At the heart of the noise and petitions lies a significant resource dilemma: US utilities are projected to invest $1.4 trillion to support the AI expansion, placing increasing pressure on the communities closest to the developments.

      This situation is also garnering federal attention. The NAACP filed a lawsuit against xAI in April concerning the same Memphis-area operations, claiming violations of US environmental regulations, and last month, the Justice Department indicated it might get involved, suggesting that the issue raises important questions about the government's role in AI infrastructure.

      For Musk's companies, the costs associated with rapidly scaling computing resources are becoming evident not only on the power grid but also in legal proceedings.