On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D sits down with Jean Su, Director of the Energy Justice Program at the Center for Biological Diversity, for a critical conversation on the hidden environmental costs of artificial intelligence. As AI data centers rapidly expand across the country, they are driving up carbon emissions, consuming enormous amounts of energy and water, and placing frontline communities and fragile ecosystems at serious risk.
While much of the public conversation around AI has focused on innovation and convenience, this discussion pulls back the curtain on its climate and environmental impacts. Jean Su breaks down how these data centers operate, who is most affected by their growth, and why environmental justice must be central to the AI debate. The conversation also explores what communities can do to organize, push for accountability, and advocate for stronger protections to ensure that technological advancement does not come at the expense of people or the planet.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.