The Colossus supercomputer, developed by Elon Musk's xAI company and presented as the world's largest computing system, was launched in September 2024. It is based on 200 thousand Nvidia accelerators used in training the Grok chatbot. However, despite its technological superiority, the project has faced harsh criticism from environmentalists and human rights activists.
The reason for public discontent was the information that methane turbines are used to ensure the energy consumption of Colossus at the facility in South Memphis. According to their manufacturers, such installations emit pollutants into the atmosphere, including nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde — compounds that are dangerous to health and the environment.
Of particular concern is the fact that the company is located in an area with a predominantly African-American population. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in the United States (NAACP) demanded an immediate suspension of the project. In an official letter, the organization reached out to Shelby County Health Department Director Dr. Michelle Taylor and members of the Memphis Light Gas and Water Commission. According to representatives of the NAACP, the project violates environmental regulations and puts the health of local residents at risk.
"Being the richest person in the world does not give you the right to pollute black communities and endanger the health of their residents," said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. He stressed that the district Health Department is obliged to intervene and protect the interests of citizens.
At press time, representatives from the Department of Health and xAI did not respond to requests for comment. Memphis Light Gas and Water said it had not received the letter from the NAACP and could not comment on it. The appeal was also signed by the presidents of the NAACP offices in Tennessee and Memphis.
The situation continues to evolve, and attention to the project from the public and regulators remains high.
