Trump: Data Centers Must Pay Communities a 'Dividend'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump says data centers should pay local communities a "dividend" to gain their support. His comment comes as concerns grow over how the artificial intelligence (AI) boom will be financed. Trump argued that data centers — large buildings filled with computers that power AI systems — should give something back to the towns that host them. A dividend, in this context, means a share of profits or benefits paid to the community. His remarks add to a growing debate about who pays for the rapid expansion of AI. Data centers use huge amounts of electricity and land, and residents often worry about costs and disruption.