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A growing movement of citizens, particularly among younger generations, is challenging the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure and the influence of major technology companies. These groups, described as techno-resisters, are organizing against the proliferation of energy-intensive data centers required for artificial intelligence development, citing concerns over environmental impact and a lack of public consultation.
Arvind Narayanan, a computer science professor at Princeton University and author of the book AI Snake Oil, has compared these modern protests to the historical Luddite movement, suggesting that resistance to technology imposed from above is a valid civic and political act. Enrico Duranti, who founded a local movement in Lacchiarella, Milan, stated that the opposition is not against data centers in principle, but against the lack of transparency and environmental assessment in their implementation by big tech firms and government bodies.
Local resistance has seen varying results across Italy. In Travagliato, near Brescia, the provincial government suspended the electrical connection process for a proposed data center on August 6 following public outcry. In Bollate, citizens collaborated with Legambiente Lombardia to reach an agreement with developers, securing the creation of an ecological corridor and the expansion of the Parco delle Groane in exchange for the project’s approval.
Market data from Mordor Intelligence projects that the Italian data center market will grow from 7.5 billion dollars in 2025 to 15 billion dollars by 2031. The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (Mimit) reported in August that there are seven strategic programs valued at over 25 billion euros aimed at accelerating this development. While the government and several political parties view these projects as economic drivers, critics argue that the rapid pace of development often bypasses local communities.
Beyond environmental concerns, the movement also addresses the impact of digital business models on human attention. Peter Schmidt, co-founder of the Strother School of Radical Attention, describes the current digital landscape as a form of attention extraction. His organization, which established a branch in Milan in July, advocates for the protection of collective attention as a necessary resource for democratic participation.
Public sentiment reflects these concerns. According to a July Pew Research survey, 52 percent of Americans are worried about the presence of AI in daily life, while 71 percent fear it will displace jobs. Gallup data from the same period indicates that younger generations are increasingly suspicious of technological development. These concerns are echoed by some industry leaders and researchers, who have called for international agreements to slow the development of AI to allow society time to adapt to potential systemic risks.
Sociologists note that while these resistance movements are becoming more organized, they face challenges in achieving structural political influence. Tiziana Terranova, a sociologist at the University of Naples, suggested that these efforts risk remaining fragmented without a political platform. Meanwhile, legislative efforts to address the sustainability of data centers have faced delays in the Italian Parliament. While representatives from both the Democratic Party and Fratelli d’Italia have expressed interest in improving dialogue with local communities, critics remain skeptical of the government’s commitment to genuine public participation in the digital development process.
Article and image source: lespresso.it
