Wolves roam into Finnish villages after Google forest clearings for AI data centers

Forest clearings near Muhos and Otanmäki

Google's Finland country manager has apologized for unauthorized forest clearings near Muhos, according to a report. The clearings have turned 816 acres of forest into an expanse of mud. The American search and AI giant has also been told to cease work where it cleared roughly 500 acres of forest, 55 miles southeast of the village of Otanmäki.

The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority, known as LVV, issued an order for Google to stop development near Muhos and Otanmäki. The report also says the Finnish government, or LVV, earlier this month gave notice to Google to stop construction activities in Muhos and Kajaani, which is near Otanmäki. The report describes 1,300 acres of forest cleared for AI data centers.

Wolves enter villages as wildlife leaves

The Guardian reports that wolves, which used to live in the forests, are roaming into villages neighboring the man-made muddy wastelands. Local anger continues over the damage done to Finnish forests as Google seems to have ridden roughshod over regulations in the hurry to build new AI data centers in Finland.

Some families say wolves and other wild animals have entered the countryside villages, which the report describes as a serious human safety concern. Anni Ranta, 53, whose family has lived in Otanmäki for generations, said: 'We had wolves coming into the village because all the wild animals moved out of the forest.' Ranta also fears the U.S.-owned data centers will make Finland an even juicier target for Russian aggression.

Local complaints and Google response

Locals have also complained about construction and factory noise, streams turning brown, and rare birds being pushed out, among other unwanted side effects. A representative of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, or SLL, indicated to The Guardian that Google's flouting of environmental policy has been unprecedented and clear.

A Google spokesperson was upbeat. 'We will fully comply with LVV's requests in this matter,' they said. 'We look forward to maintaining an active, open dialogue with all authorities to strengthen our partnership with Finland and local organizations.' Google must be hoping the touted business benefits of the data centers will sway the government and regulators, the report suggests.

Finland is far from the first place targeted by AI data center developers to complain about environmental effects. Similar concerns have been voiced across the U.S. and in other countries, according to the report.

Sources: Tom's Hardware