Bristol · BS1 5BE
Hosted by Green Tech South West
Examine the social and environmental costs of AI data centres at this in-person Green Tech South West meetup in Bristol on 11 November 2026. Part of the inaugural Brazen Festival and its Clean day, the event explores the tension between AI innovation, rapidly expanding digital infrastructure and the need for greater accountability from big tech. It runs from 6:00pm to 8:00pm GMT at BS1 5BE. Talks and speakers Three specialists will examine the issue from campaigning, research and policy perspectives: - Kierra Box, campaigner at Friends of the Earth, will discuss environmental justice, community concerns and access to information about data centres’ energy, water and environmental footprints. - Mayra Rodriguez, Research Fellow in AI and Data Science at the University of Exeter, will consider AI’s potential in climate and health alongside the transparency and responsibility required to reduce its environmental impact. - Rory Murphy, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Exeter and fellow in the ACCESS research network, will explore data centres’ demands for energy, water and minerals through research, international case studies and UK public-engagement data. Doors open at 6:00pm, followed by a welcome and audience introductions from 6:30pm. The three talks begin at 6:45pm, with a joint Q&A at 7:45pm and closing remarks at 7:55pm. The format makes this relevant to AI practitioners, sustainability professionals, policymakers, researchers, activists and communities affected by proposed infrastructure; no experience requirement is stated. The organisers hope to record the event and publish the recording with slides afterwards. It is supported by ADLIB Recruitment, Bristol Digital Futures Institute and Green Web Foundation. Register for this event
Sponsors: ADLIB Recruitment · Bristol Digital Futures Institute +1
