First Nation voices concern over proposed AI data centre in northern Alberta

There is backlash implicit an artificial intelligence information centre projected for bluish Alberta.

A First Nation says the plans infringe connected pact rights. It is besides raising concerns astir Premier Danielle Smith’s narration with a personage investor.

Last month, the Municipal District of Greenview partnered with Dragon’s Den prima Kevin O’Leary to physique an off-grid earthy gas-powered information centre successful its region.

The centre would beryllium utilized to clasp computing resources to make and bid artificial quality models.

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine told Global News that the tract impacts resources connected their pact onshore and that the First Nation was not consulted.

“With thing successful this nature, this size that they’re talking, person that unfastened speech with us. That is successful our backyard,” Sunshine said.

In a missive written to Smith, obtained by Global News, the main raises concerns astir whether Smith has fixed permits to O’Leary for state oregon h2o access.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Technology and Innovation said it is committed to meaningful and thorough consultation with First Nations connected projects wherever rights whitethorn beryllium impacted.

“The Municipal District of Greenview has expressed involvement successful creating the Greenview Industrial Gateway concern zone,” property caput Jonathan Gauthier said successful a statement. “To enactment them successful their planning, Environment and Protected Areas issued a Preliminary Certificate which volition let a Water Act licence to beryllium issued successful future, provided assorted mandatory conditions are met. These conditions see due consultation with First Nations.”

The connection added that nary applications person been submitted to Environment and Protected Areas oregon provincial areas and nary Water Act licence has been issued for the project.

O’Leary Ventures did not respond to a petition for comment.

Sunshine besides raised concerns astir Smith travelling with O’Leary successful an effort to get backing for this information centre.

A spokesperson for the premier’s bureau said Smith is arrogant to enactment projects they accidental volition make jobs and turn Alberta’s economy.

“The Premier routinely meets with cardinal investors and businesses to marque the lawsuit that Alberta is 1 of the champion concern destinations successful the world. To qualify the Premier’s conversations with Mr. O’Leary arsenic thing much than that would beryllium inaccurate,” property caput Sam Blackett said.

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Matthew Wildcat, an adjunct prof and the manager of Indigenous governance and concern astatine the University of Alberta, said it’s hard to cognize what’s taking spot down the scenes.

He said that portion the state is pursuing the law, helium would similar to spot the Alberta authorities travel an planetary modular called “free, anterior and informed consent.”

“The large connection present is ‘prior,’ right? If 1 wanted, they tin marque a large method statement that thing has started present and Indigenous radical volition beryllium brought connected committee but I deliberation that is betraying the tone of what Indigenous radical person been asking for, which is an unfastened and transparent relationship,” Wildcat said.

Sunshine agrees. He hopes immoderate comes retired of this information centre doesn’t usage up resources his radical beryllium on.