NextDC, a major Australian datacentre company, is under fire from Victorian jobs minister Melissa Horne for allegedly using artificial intelligence in correspondence related to its expansion plans. Horne's response to CEO Craig Scroggie highlighted concerns over factual inaccuracies, which she attributed to AI-generated content.
The company is seeking fast-tracked approval for a significant expansion of its M3 datacentre in Footscray, raising alarms among local residents about potential impacts on the community and environment. Horne has expressed her reluctance to support the application amidst growing public concern.
Watch for potential shifts in public sentiment as local residents mobilize against NextDC's expansion. The scrutiny over AI use in lobbying may lead to stricter regulations on corporate communications, impacting how companies engage with government officials in the future.