Powering the Future: Honors Pulse Panel Takes on Data Center Debate

Data centers have become unlikely stars of the news cycle. Once a largely invisible infrastructure behind our digital lives, they are now at the center of a very visible debate, one that doesn't divide neatly along traditional political lines. 

Data centers aren't new to Arkansas. What is new is their scale. The state already has smaller data centers supporting businesses and digital services, but a new generation of far larger facilities is now arriving, driven in part by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and our seemingly bottomless appetite for being connected. 

Major projects are proposed or under development in Little Rock and Pulaski County, West Memphis, Clarksville, Conway and elsewhere. These projects are a different order of magnitude from much of the infrastructure already operating in the state, bringing the promise of billions of dollars in investment, along with much bigger questions about what it takes to power them. 

Supporters see an opportunity: new investment, jobs and tax revenue, as well as the infrastructure necessary to compete in an increasingly technology-driven economy. They argue that data centers are not an optional curiosity but part of the physical infrastructure behind services we increasingly expect to be available everywhere, all the time. 

Critics see a different balance sheet. They question how much electricity and water these massive facilities will consume, what their growth could mean for utility customers and the environment, whether the economic benefits justify public incentives and how much communities know about major projects before decisions are made. 

That leaves Arkansas, like communities across the country, with a distinctly 21st-century dilemma. We want the technology. We use the technology. Increasingly, we depend on the technology. But what are we willing to build, spend and consume to keep it running and who gets to decide when the tradeoff is worth it? 

The Honors College's upcoming Pulse Panel will bring together faculty and industry professionals with expertise spanning computer science and electrical engineering, environmental and energy law, civic engagement and public policy, and the technology industry to explore the past, present and future of data centers from the infrastructure that powers our digital world to the economic, environmental and political questions accompanying this newest wave of development.  

"A data center isn't just a building full of servers; it's a substation, a water system, a workforce pipeline and a piece of critical infrastructure all at once," said Chris Farnell, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science. "No single discipline sees the whole thing, which is exactly why conversations like this one matter." 

The event is scheduled for 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in GEAR 258.  

Faculty and industry professionals who will provide context and lead a question-and-answer session include:  

• Jake Dionne, assistant professor of communication 

• Chris Farnell, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science 

• Kevin Grace, senior account executive at Google Public Sector  

• Sara Gosman, associate professor of law  

The panel will be moderated by honors students.   

Attendees are invited to enjoy pizza and refreshments during the discussion. The event is open to the entire campus. Please RSVP via Hogsync.  

The Honors College Pulse discussion series began in 2016 and was named in remembrance of victims of the Pulse nightclub shootings. Discussion topics are generated by honors students. The discussions allow students to ask questions about current events and trends and to learn holistically from varying interdisciplinary perspectives across campus. Panel discussions have featured conversations around nuclear proliferation, affirmative action, the Dakota Access Pipeline Project, Roe v. Wade, the viral phenomenon of "Barbenheimer," the legal ramifications and decisions related to hate crimes, ways to fight local hunger and poverty, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, Bad Bunny and more.  

About the Honors College: The University of Arkansas Honors College was established in 2002 and brings together high-achieving undergraduate students and the university's top professors to share transformative learning experiences. Each year the Honors College awards fellowships that provide $80,000 over four years, and more than $1 million in undergraduate research and study abroad grants. The Honors College is nationally recognized for the high caliber of students it admits and graduates. Honors students enjoy small, in-depth classes, and programs are offered in all disciplines, tailored to students' academic interests, with interdisciplinary collaborations encouraged. All Honors College graduates have engaged in mentored research.