By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In a unanimous show of support, council approved a motion at its Sept. 21 meeting related to governing AI (Artificial Intelligence) data centres.
Brought forward by South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle, the motion tasks administration with compiling a report as part of a municipal study proposed around such data centres. The document will examine the potential of an interim bylaw to regulate the centres, as well as staffing and the financial implications of a potential local data centre.
A copy of Doyle’s motion will be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, as well as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in support of AMO’s proposal to establish a tri-lateral strategy to include municipal voices in future AI centre legislation to protect citizens and the environment.
A similar motion by Chatham-Kent Coun. Michael Bondy relating to data centres was withdrawn as it duplicated Doyle’s motion.
