South Memphis community voices concerns over xAI supercomputer facility

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Community Against Pollution, or MCAP, and residents of the South Memphis community gathered Saturday morning to discuss several pressing issues.

While members celebrated the closure of Sterilization Services of Tennessee, the group quickly turned their attention to the building of Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer facility. The supercomputer will be built at the old Electrolux facility on Paul Lowry Road.

RELATED : South Memphis residents celebrate closure of toxic facility

KeShaun Pearson, president of MCAP, told FOX13 the supercomputer facility poses many threats to South Memphis.

“It has and does pose a lot of pollution and a lot of environmental threats to our community,” Pearson said.

The supercomputer will serve as the data hub for any of Musk’s companies that use artificial intelligence. People who live in South Memphis are frustrated over the lack of communication about the massive project.

“We’re sheeps being led for slaughter,” said one concerned community member at Saturday’s meeting.

“We were blindsided by this, but not surprised because this is the status quo,” Pearson said.

Pearson told FOX13 that the community has a lot of questions and not a lot of answers.

“How will our communities be protected? What plans does xAI have to be a great partner? A good partner for the City of Memphis?” asked Pearson.

Another concern is the amount of energy and water the supercomputer will need to operate. MLGW has said Musk’s company must join an electricity demand response program.

That means the AI company would be asked to cut back on power if demand gets too high. MLGW also said xAI must use greywater. Greywater is recycled sewage water and would prevent the company from having to use water from the Memphis aquifer.

“The dependability of our grid is at stake,” Pearson told FOX13. “That is only going to continue to exacerbate the strain that’s already on the infrastructure.”

At the end of the day, Pearson said people in South Memphis just want some kind of communication from xAI leaders.

“What we would like and what we need to move forward in a positive direction is a conversation,’ said Pearson.

The facility is expected to open in December, but while at the community meeting Saturday, FOX13 crews heard Pearson explain to attendees that the building could open as early as September. FOX13 has reached out to the City of Memphis to see if this is true.

This story will be updated once we hear back.