Developers are proposing to convert the boarded-up San Francisco Centre mall into a community-focused AI exhibit rather than a traditional data center. The project aims to create an interactive space showcasing AI technology's role in public life, featuring areas for culture, design, and education, alongside a rooftop garden.
The proposal comes amid a broader urban revival in downtown San Francisco, though it faces challenges due to a recent moratorium on data center developments. Local businesses express concern over the mall's prolonged closure, which they believe negatively impacts the neighborhood's economic recovery.