Sat 3/14: Empire of AI and Blackstone Discussion with Karen Hao, Best-Selling Author and Award-Winning Journalist

As the largest data center provider in the world, Blackstone is heavily invested in AI data center infrastructure – and now, they want to buy out PNM, a deal that would allow them to pour our scarce resources into water-intensive data center development and lock New Mexico into an energy system designed to serve out-of-state investors instead of our communities.

That's why on Saturday, March 14th, YUCCA is excited to join our allies at New Energy Economy and the Defend NM Water Coalition to host Karen Hao – award-winning reporter and bestselling author of Empire of AI – for a discussion on what Blackstone's AI ambitions could mean for New Mexico.

As a freelance writer for outlets including More Perfect Union and The Atlantic, the co-host of BBC's The Interface podcast, and the co-creator of the Pulitzer Center's AI Spotlight Series, Hao has been honored for her work on the Time100 AI List and won an American Humanist Media Award in 2024. As Blackstone looks to buy out PNM to power AI data center expansion and communities in Southern New Mexico face the possibility of 13 million tons per year of pollution at the hands of Project Jupiter developers, Hao's work offers critical insights into the impacts of unchecked AI development and the consequences it carries for our communities.

On Saturday, March 14th, Hao will join New Energy Economy and Collected Works Bookstore in Santa Fe at 11:00 am at St. John's Methodist Church and virtually via Zoom. And later that day, YUCCA, New Energy Economy, and Defend NM Water will host the author in Albuquerque at Juno Brewery at 4:00 pm.

Both events are free to attend, but space is filling up fast.

RSVP to join us by clicking here or scanning the QR code above so you don't miss out on your chance to join us in Albuquerque or Santa Fe to learn more about the companies driving AI expansion, what Blackstone's buyout could mean for New Mexico communities, and how we can come together to fight for an energy democracy that puts people over profits.

JOIN US ON MARCH 14TH!