Data center: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 10, 2026

News •

1 in 4 data centers run in areas with stressed water supply, study finds • Nov. 9, 2026, 1:00 PM ET (Washington Post)

A brutal sell-off for AI stocks sends Wall Street reeling, and the S&P 500 tumbles 4.4% • Nov. 5, 2026, 5:04 PM ET (AP)

Facing pushback on data centers, tech giants are promising hosts more money and fewer secrets • Oct. 22, 2026, 1:47 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As	data centre

Photos

Aerial view of the Google data center complex in Eemshaven, The Netherlands, showing several large white-roofed buildings surrounded by fields, canals, and wind turbines.

Demonstrators on the steps of the Utah State Capitol hold large signs reading No Data Centers during a protest against the proposed Stratos data center.

Modern data center in Middenmeer, Netherlands, with fenced cooling equipment and exhaust stacks beside a canal.

Facebook data center in Eagle Mountain, Utah, with snow-capped Flat Top mountains rising behind the fenced gray facility.

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Topics

Why do AI data centers need so much water?generative AI server information technology U.S.-China artificial intelligence race

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