Future of Data Centers

The Future of Data Centers: Shaping the Social and Policy Landscape of Our AI Infrastructure

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Georgia Tech Alumni House, Griffin Ballroom
190 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

This event is co-sponsored by the Institute for People and Technology and the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems at Georgia Tech.

The growth of AI and other data intensive industries has increased demand for data centers the world over, and “metro Atlanta has emerged as the world’s second-largest data center market[1].” This has created both opportunities for some companies, municipalities, and communities while simultaneously posing social and policy challenges.

This event will bring together people from academia, industry, government, and other organizations to discuss the future of data center sustainability, particularly from a social and policy lens, and to debate methods to help ensure equitable growth where the rewards and costs associated with this massively growing industry are shared across populations and communities. This is particularly important, as many community discussions about data centers focus on water and energy sustainability, while overlooking issues of policy, social, and community sustainability.

Our discussions will focus on both the local issues here in Atlanta and lessons learned and best practices we can draw from across the globe.

Expect engaging conversations pointing to a shared understanding of:

Current and future social and policy challenges and opportunities related to data centers;
An array of solutions and strategies to address the identified challenges;
Perspectives and lessons learned from Atlanta and around the globe regarding the political and social aspects of data centers;
Best practices and considerations for creating effective mechanisms for community engagement with data center stakeholders.

[1] Hansen, Z. (2026, January 5). What data center companies are spending for Georgia land might shock you. Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Registration for The Future of Data Centers

<< Please REGISTER HERE and join us at the Georgia Tech Alumni House on April 21 >>

AGENDA

Time	Session	Details
08:00–08:30	Coffee & Registration
08:30–09:00	Welcome Intro	Michael Best, Executive Director, Institute for People and Technology & Beril Toktay, Executive Director, Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems
09:00–10:00	Keynote (Global Local)
10:00–11:15	Panel	Global to Local: Learning from International Perspectives on Socially Sustainable Data Centers
11:15–11:30	Break
11:30–12:15	Workshop Part 1	Data Centers, Energy & Sustainability: From Compute Rooms to Critical Infrastructure
12:15–01:00	Lunch
01:00–02:00	Workshop Part 2	Data Centers, Energy & Sustainability: From Compute Rooms to Critical Infrastructure
02:00–03:15	Panel	Community and Governmental Collaboration in Data Center Infrastructure
03:15–03:30	Wrap Up	Looking forward to the future?
03:30–04:30	Networking

Questions about the event? Contact Clint Zeagler at clintzeagler@gatech.edu.

Global to Local: Learning from International Perspectives on Socially Sustainable Data Centers

Moderator - Cindy Lin, Stephen Fleming Early Career Assistant Professor, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Tech

The session explores how data centers can be designed, built, and planned to ensure the livability and well-being of people and the places they live, work, and play. This includes examples such as data center sustainability standards and community hubs and centers that could make a meaningful impact on the social and cultural life and relations between communities, industries, and governments. By bringing together computing scholars, anthropologists, city planners, and community advocates working across the Americas, Africa, and Asia, the panel will identify both the shared potential and limitations of data center standards, practices, processes, and institutions that shape the future of data center infrastructure across regional, cultural, and sociopolitical contexts.

Panelist - Celine Benoit, Principal Planner with the Atlanta Regional Commission

Celine is a Principal Planner with the Atlanta Regional Commission. She has been in this role for almost 8 years with her work focusing on water resiliency and efficiency planning strategies to include variables that could potentially challenge the reason’s water supply. Prior to this position she has 10 years of combined experience in regional air quality and its associated health impacts as well as environmental consulting for coastal land use and management. Celine has an M.S in Geosciences from GSU, and a B.S in Biology from U. Central Florida.

Panelist - Matthew Wesley Williams, Senior Vice President, Community Development, Marketing and Communications, Groundswell

Matthew Wesley Williams is the Senior Vice President for Community Development, Marketing, and Communications at Groundswell. Williams’ career spans leadership in higher education, philanthropy, religion, and public health, marked by his strategic expertise and dedication to equity. He previously served as the 11th President of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). In recognition of his bold leadership, Williams was honored with the United Negro College Fund Billye Suber Aaron Masked Award in December 2023. A published author, Williams co-wrote Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose (2020), offering insights on innovative leadership. His academic achievements include a Master of Divinity from ITC and dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Philosophy & Religion from Florida A&M University, where he was inducted into the College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities (CSSAH) Gallery of Distinction in 2020.

Community and Governmental Collaboration in Data Center Infrastructure

Moderator - Allen Hyde, Associate Professor, School of History and Sociology, Georgia Tech

This session explores the complex intersection of digital growth and civic responsibility, focusing on how Georgia can balance its status as a premier tech hub with the localized demands on power, water, and taxpayer resources. By bringing together state regulators, city advisors, investigative journalists, and community advocates, the panel will identify collaborative strategies to ensure that data center infrastructure serves the public interest as effectively as it powers the global economy.

Panelist - Peter Hubbard, Public Service Commissioner, State of Georgia

Peter Hubbard is a seasoned energy expert with 16 years of energy industry experience, including developing solar and battery storage projects, preparing electric utility Integrated Resource Plans, running electricity and gas models, performing organized market analysis in North America, projecting fuel prices, analyzing project risk, conducting M&A due diligence, navigating electric grid interconnection, and more. He brings this unique energy background to the role of Public Service Commissioner in his first term. Hubbard earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Memphis, then earned a Masters degree from Johns Hopkins University in International Affairs with specializations in Economics as well as Energy, Resources & Environment. In 2019, Hubbard founded the nonprofit Georgia Center for Energy Solutions to advocate for clean energy and lower power bills in Georgia.

Panelist - Donnie Beamer, Senior Technology Advisor, City of Atlanta

Donnie Beamer, CFA was appointed by Mayor Andre Dickens as Atlanta’s first-ever Senior Technology Advisor. He serves as the Mayor’s chief liaison with the tech sector and assists with shaping policy and programs to grow the ecosystem. Beamer also works with Invest Atlanta to attract new companies to the city, grow existing ones and advises the Administration on fostering Atlanta’s technology workforce. Prior to joining the City, Beamer was the General Manager of LotVision Automotive at Cox2M, Cox Communication’s commercial IoT business line and was responsible for the product roadmap and strategy for their flagship vehicle tracking and telematics platform. Beamer studied Economics at the Georgia Institute of Technology and earned an MBA from The Wharton School at UPenn.

Panelist - Zachary (Zach) Hansen, Economic Development & Commercial Real Estate reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hansen covers economic development and commercial real estate for the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.