Electricians Debate Ethics of Data Center Work in Online Forums
7 reported
A WIRED report examines how some electricians are questioning the ethics of working on data center projects amid growing national opposition to the facilities. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has argued its workers are “powering the AI Revolution,” and a set of “Data Center Principles” published in March states union labor is “essential to the future of AI.” Tech companies are responding to the demand: Meta recently announced a skilled trade academy program, and Google committed $50 million to help train people in skilled trades. However, debates have emerged in online communities like the subreddit r/electricians, where some users wonder if the work will cause job losses or if taking data center jobs makes them complicit in harm to local communities. Several electricians spoke to WIRED anonymously, expressing a range of views from embracing the opportunity to refusing such work on ethical grounds. One electrician in the Midwest said he no longer tells people what he does for a living because the conversation often ends when he reveals his line of work. Another electrician named Ryan, an IBEW worker, said he has never worked at a data center and probably never will, citing distrust of corporations and concerns about the AI bubble.
What’s reported
The IBEW has argued its workers are “powering the AI Revolution” and published “Data Center Principles” in March stating union labor is “essential to the future of AI.”
Meta announced a skilled trade academy program, and Google committed $50 million to help train people in skilled trades.
Threads about AI’s effect on the economy appear on r/electricians, a subreddit with around half a million monthly visitors.
One electrician in the Midwest requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to reporters; he took a pay cut to work at a data center and was promoted to a management role within months.
An electrician named Ryan, an IBEW worker, said he would find it “really tough to want to take that job call” even if out of work for a long time.
An electrician named Dante said he has worked on data centers operated by Intel, HP, and Amazon.
An apprentice told WIRED they believe for some people, a paycheck will always justify the work, “regardless of what the project is.”
Key figures
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Meta
Google
Ryan (electrician, IBEW worker)
Jesse (IBEW electrician)
Dante (electrician)
Elon Musk
Alex Karp
Sources: Wired
