Activists Storm Microsoft Data Centre Site in Amsterdam Amidst European AI Protests

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Protesters affiliated with the group Geef Tegengas have infiltrated the construction site of a new Microsoft data centre in Amsterdam. This action is the latest in a series of demonstrations across Europe targeting data centres, which are crucial for processing the extensive computational demands of artificial intelligence (AI).

On Friday, hundreds of activists converged on the Sloterdijk district site, participating in a two-day protest against the proliferation of data centres. The demonstration saw clashes with police, with some protesters scaling a crane and deploying flares.

Nathan Timmer, representing Geef Tegengas (which translates to Push Back), stated to local broadcaster AT5 that the occupation aimed to halt construction. "We don’t want it to be built. Nobody needs it," Timmer declared. "The only thing this will be used for is AI slop. AI warfare, data surveillance and committing genocide. We don’t want that." Pro-Palestinian activists also joined the demonstrations in the Dutch capital.

By late Friday afternoon, police were seen escorting activists from the site, although some remained, according to local media reports. Dutch police confirmed the detention of 150-200 individuals on suspicion of trespassing.

Microsoft acknowledged the protest in Amsterdam. A spokesperson commented, "We understand that people feel strongly about the project, and we respect their right to express those views peacefully. However, we do not condone any actions that are unlawful or that put people’s safety at risk."

Data centres are increasingly facing opposition globally due to their significant consumption of energy and water. Activists contend that the rapid expansion of facilities supporting cloud computing and AI is outpacing public consultation and environmental oversight.

Organizers announced that dozens of civil society and grassroots organizations would participate in "Stop Dirty Data Centres" events across 15 European countries, including Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom, on Friday and Saturday.

In Germany, approximately a dozen protesters gathered outside a data centre near Berlin on Friday. "We want to put a stop to this blind construction of data centres around Germany, regardless of any environmental concerns," said protest spokeswoman Caro Weber. "This is really, really dangerous for our future."

In Poland, around 100 people protested against data centres in front of the Polish parliament, representing communities near Warsaw where new facilities are planned. Italy's rapidly growing data centre industry is also experiencing a surge in grassroots opposition, particularly in the Lombardy region, a key hub for the country's digital infrastructure.