Victorian Jobs Minister Melissa Horne has accused NextDC, one of Australia’s largest datacentre companies, of using artificial intelligence in correspondence requesting her to lobby a colleague for a significant expansion of its “hyperscale AI factory”. Horne declined to support the application.
The correspondence between Minister Horne and NextDC chief executive Craig Scroggie highlighted increasing community concerns about datacentres ahead of the state election. NextDC has applied for fast-tracked approval to expand its M3 datacentre in Footscray to 10 hectares, which would draw 225MW of power and operate 24/7.
Local residents have voiced growing complaints regarding the datacentre's size and its proximity to homes, some as close as 15 metres from the boundary. Labor MP Katie Hall, whose electorate includes the M3 datacentre, has been a long-term opponent of the expansion and has raised concerns with the planning and artificial intelligence ministers.
In her letter, Horne suggested Scroggie review content produced by artificial intelligence more closely in the future, citing alleged basic factual errors. Scroggie and NextDC declined to comment on Horne’s letter and allegations.