AI NewsWhy the data center you dread might never even be built

Why the data center you dread might never even be built

2:43 AM IST · November 12, 2026

Loading the player… The data center boom is running into serious real-world obstacles, from widespreadlocal oppositionand permitting delays to ascramble for electricity. Before those challenges even come into play, though, there’s a more basic problem: A lot of the projects being announced may never get built in the first place. Withbillions of dollarsin AI infrastructure investment at stake, separating realistic projects from speculative ones is becoming increasingly important. On this episode of TechCrunch’sEquitypodcast, hosts Rebecca Bellan and Tim De Chant are joined byBrent Nelson, senior managing director of markets and strategy atAscend Analytics, to separate the data center projects that are likely to get built from the ones that may never get off the ground. Subscribe to Equity onYouTube,Apple Podcasts,Overcast,Spotifyand all the casts. You also can follow Equity onXandThreads, at @EquityPod.