#VTJTalks: The Data Centre Debate That Can’t Wait

Description

In just 18 months, Vancouver has become one of the front lines of the AI infrastructure buildout and the questions it raises don't have easy answers. On one side: opportunity. Telus and the federal government have backed a three-site "sovereign AI factory cluster" in BC that promises jobs, investment, and keeping Canadian data on Canadian soil, running largely on clean hydro power. On the other: cost and consent. Residents have marched repeatedly over the water and electricity these facilities consume, arguing the projects were imposed without real public input — while the province, facing surging demand, has capped how much power data centres can draw and made them compete for it. Between those poles sit the hard trade-offs: Who gets our limited clean electricity? What's the real cost to ratepayers and water supply? How many jobs does this actually create? And who decides? The debate simply cannot wait. Join Vancouver Tech Journal to uncover where the province is headed in this sector, the sentiments and what the future holds for us. Speakers More speakers TBA...Stay tuned! ​​Agenda: Thank you to our core partners! A huge thank you to all of our sponsors — who continuously support our events. Your contributions are pivotal in helping us drive impact in Vancouver’s tech ecosystem and bring together the community. Interested in partnering with us? Contact us: [email protected]