LANSING — Data center developments are popping up around Michigan as state officials seek to capitalize on growing demand — but the plans are sparking concerns about water and power use.

Experts also say that the proposals leave unanswered questions about who ends up paying for abandoned projects years in the future.

“What we’re seeing now is an increase in both the number and the scale of data centers that are being developed, and this is mostly driven by AI computing needs,” said Katie Duckworth, a senior associate attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center.

According to Pew Research, over 60% of us adults interact with AI multiple times per week. Most of those services are powered by data centers, which house the computer equipment that actually runs them.

According to th

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