Community Engagement Summit

From Consumption to Contribution: can digital infrastructure be part of the water solution? Water is becoming a defining issue in community acceptance of digital infrastructure projects. Gallup found that 71% of Americans oppose AI data centres in their local area, with concerns over excessive water and energy consumption emerging as the most frequently cited reasons for opposition. This session explores how operators can move beyond mitigation to become partners in local water resilience through conservation, reuse, infrastructure investment and stakeholder engagement.

• How can digital infrastructure developers work with local communities and utilities to address water challenges while supporting continued growth?
• What examples exist of successful investments in water infrastructure, conservation, or reuse programs that have strengthened community support for projects?
• Can water stewardship evolve from a risk-management exercise into a meaningful community engagement strategy that delivers shared long-term value?

The Cost of Connection: Balancing energy affordability with expanding digital infrastructure The rapid growth of data centres is increasing pressure on power networks, infrastructure investment and energy affordability. Data centres consumed approximately 485 TWh of electricity in 2025, accounting for 1.5% of global demand, and are projected to reach 950 TWh by 2030: equivalent to 3% of worldwide electricity consumption. As policymakers, communities and industry debate who bears the cost, this session explores strategies for stakeholder engagement and sustainable growth

• How can data centre and digital infrastructure developers demonstrate that growth in energy demand will deliver wider economic benefits without driving up costs for consumers?
• What role should developers play in addressing concerns about grid capacity, network investment and the impact of new infrastructure on energy affordability?
• How can industry, government and local communities work together to ensure digital infrastructure expansion supports both economic growth and an affordable energy transition?

As opposition to digital infrastructure projects becomes increasingly organised across communities, social media and activist networks traditional consultation routes are no longer enough. This session explores how operators can earn trust, reset the public narrative, and build lasting support through meaningful engagement, local investment and coordinated communications strategies.

• How can operators engage communities and earn genuine consent to prevent local concerns from becoming organised opposition?
• Which community benefits and engagement strategies most effectively build public support?
• How can the industry communicate the social and economic value of digital infrastructure while maintaining local credibility?

Land, power and permitting have emerged as the defining constraints on digital infrastructure growth. From federal land and military sites to state-level permitting reforms and environmental reviews, this session examines the policies that will determine when and how the next generation of infrastructure gets built.

• How are state-level permitting reforms, federal permitting initiatives, and evolving environmental review requirements reshaping the development of digital infrastructure projects?
• What opportunities and challenges do developers face when pursuing projects on federal land, military installations, and national laboratory campuses?
• How can the industry overcome zoning obstacles and lengthy approval processes while balancing national infrastructure priorities with local community concerns and regulatory oversight?