When
to
Where
Drill Hall
26 Therry St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
Why
Across Victoria, community opposition to the rapid expansion of data centres is growing. At the same time, concern is increasing about the much wider consequences of rapidly advancing AI; for employment, education, surveillance and autonomous weapons, to the possibility of artificial superintelligence and catastrophic risk.
Campaigns have been springing up all across Victoria and there is a need to come together, share our collective skills and strategise.
That's why we are inviting you to this community summit.
If you are an organiser in a Data Centre/AI campaign, can you please make sure your group fills out this short form which will be used as part of a presentation for the session on connecting and coordinating better.
https://opnform.com/forms/contact-form-vldzbl
What to expect?
In the morning, we will hear from experts who will help us understand the details of data centres and the risks of unfettered AI. There will be lots of chances to ask questions and discuss ways of using the information to build support.
The afternoon will focus on organising the movement in Victoria. Expert facilitators will host workshops which allow different community campaigns to share what has been working well, what they need, and connect over how they can work together.
Volunteers will provide some morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. We also encourage people to bring a plate of food to share.
We will explore three big questions:
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What are the risks to communities from the rapid development of data centres and AI, and how do we explain these?
What are the risks posed by data centres to communities associated with their power and water usage and the fire risk from vast amounts of diesel onsite? How far away does the noise and pollution spread? How best to explain these risks to communities?What are the risks of increasingly powerful AI? What harms are already occurring? What benefits might AI bring, particularly if communities had much more say over how it developed and is used? Can slowing or halting the roll-out of new hyper-scale data centres help protect us from the risks of Artificial Superintelligence? Are we in an AI bubble and heading for an AI crash?
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How can we bring our community campaigns together to win?
We will map the emerging Victorian data centre and AI campaigns and provide opportunities for organisers to make connections and learn from each other. We will explore how different groups can share knowledge, resources and organising capacity. -
What can we do together in the lead-up to the Victorian election and beyond?
With the state election on 28 November, there is an immediate opportunity to make data centres, AI governance and community control significant political issues. This event will workshop how to make the best use of the three months till the state election, and how we can work together to advance the campaign for a moratorium on data centre development, and ongoing movement building.
Event Details
When:
Saturday 5th September - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Doors will open at 9:30, arrive early to mingle and stay til 6pm to chat more.
Where:
The Drill Hall, Multicultural Hub, 26 Therry St, Melbourne CBD
Across the Road from Queen Vic Market.
How much:
Free! But donations are very appreciated to cover costs.
This is a volunteer-run event, where the venue hire and food will cost approximately $900.
Further donations will go towards campaign resources like house signs.
Who is this for:
Volunteers, community members, researchers and experts involved in data centre and/or AI campaigning.
Whether you are just getting started or deeply involved you are welcome.
What about lunch and refreshments?
A simple lunch and morning and afternoon tea will be provided.
If you can bring something to share for morning or afternoon tea that would be much appreciated.
Who's organising this:
The AI Working Group of the Victorian Data Centre Moratorium Campaign. The AI Working Group was formed as part of the growing grassroots movement against AI and data centres across Victoria.
Contact us on [email protected]
Contact
AI Working Group · Victorian Data Centre Moratorium Campaign
[email protected]