{"id":14733,"date":"2026-07-23T15:12:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T10:12:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=14733"},"modified":"2026-07-23T15:12:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T10:12:48","slug":"a-town-renamed-its-festival-ai-love-irondale-day-then-came-the-comments-npr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=14733","title":{"rendered":"A town renamed its festival \u2018AI Love Irondale Day.\u2019 Then came the comments : NPR"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"storytext\">\n<div id=\"resg-s1-135073\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 5712;&#10;        --source-height: 4284;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x4284+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Festival-goers sit outside Irondale, Alabama's city hall on I Love Irondale Day, July 18, 2026.\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Festival-goers sit outside Irondale, Alabama&#8217;s city hall on I Love Irondale Day, July 18, 2026.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    Stephan Bisaha\/NPR<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        Stephan Bisaha\/NPR<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/newsletter\/tiny-desk-concerts\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Sign up and be the first to hear about new Tiny Desk concerts and behind the scenes glimpses<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Every summer, the I Love Irondale Day festival celebrates the small city neighboring Birmingham, Alabama, most famous as the home of the cafe that inspired the 90s dramedy <em>Fried Green Tomatoes<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>But earlier this month, Mayor James D. Stewart announced on his Facebook page that the festival would be renamed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.al.com\/news\/birmingham\/2026\/07\/an-alabama-city-sparked-outrage-after-rebranding-its-annual-festival-around-ai-ew.html\" target=\"_blank\"><u>AI Love Irondale Day<\/u><\/a>. Get it?<\/p>\n<p>People in the comments did and <em>hated <\/em>it.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-backstage-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap backstage\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5896481-100\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImageg-s1-117729\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/04\/20\/g-s1-117729\/data-center-disputes-local-midterms\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/20\\\/g-s1-117729\\\/data-center-disputes-local-midterms&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2667x2667+667+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fab%2F1bf4782e47ee8ecee9915c711046%2Fgettyimages-2243421675.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2667x2667+667+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fab%2F1bf4782e47ee8ecee9915c711046%2Fgettyimages-2243421675.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2667x2667+667+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fab%2F1bf4782e47ee8ecee9915c711046%2Fgettyimages-2243421675.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2667x2667+667+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fab%2F1bf4782e47ee8ecee9915c711046%2Fgettyimages-2243421675.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2667x2667+667+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fab%2F1bf4782e47ee8ecee9915c711046%2Fgettyimages-2243421675.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2667x2667+667+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fab%2F1bf4782e47ee8ecee9915c711046%2Fgettyimages-2243421675.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2667x2667+667+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fab%2F1bf4782e47ee8ecee9915c711046%2Fgettyimages-2243421675.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2667x2667+667+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2Fab%2F1bf4782e47ee8ecee9915c711046%2Fgettyimages-2243421675.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"This photo taken from high above shows a Meta data center in Ashburn, Virginia, in 2025. It is a large, long light-colored building with few windows, and it's nestled among trees and a few other buildings with a similar shape.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5896481-100\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5896481-101\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5469933\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/07\/17\/nx-s1-5469933\/virginia-data-centers-residents-saying-no\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2025\\\/07\\\/17\\\/nx-s1-5469933\\\/virginia-data-centers-residents-saying-no&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+504+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fef%2Faf21b20540f5bb15179daf72c204%2Fdata-center-boom-sign.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+504+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fef%2Faf21b20540f5bb15179daf72c204%2Fdata-center-boom-sign.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+504+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fef%2Faf21b20540f5bb15179daf72c204%2Fdata-center-boom-sign.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+504+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fef%2Faf21b20540f5bb15179daf72c204%2Fdata-center-boom-sign.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+504+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fef%2Faf21b20540f5bb15179daf72c204%2Fdata-center-boom-sign.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+504+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fef%2Faf21b20540f5bb15179daf72c204%2Fdata-center-boom-sign.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+504+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fef%2Faf21b20540f5bb15179daf72c204%2Fdata-center-boom-sign.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+504+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5c%2Fef%2Faf21b20540f5bb15179daf72c204%2Fdata-center-boom-sign.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"This photo shows a white yard sign that says in all caps, &quot;NO DATA CENTER!&quot; A red ring with a slash through it appears on top of the text. Stretching behind the sign is a grassy green yard, and in the background stands a brick house.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5896481-101\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>Some trashed AI, calling it &#8220;absolutely garbage for the environment&#8221; and the festival an &#8220;AI slop event.&#8221; Another person said the post sounded like a pep rally for what&#8217;s become a boogeyman in the South: data centers.<\/p>\n<p>While two city councilmembers told NPR there are no immediate plans for a data center in Irondale, nearby Bessemer, Alabama is prepping for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.al.com\/news\/2026\/04\/data-centers-in-alabama-proposed-bessemer-campus-just-got-bigger.html\" target=\"_blank\"><u>multibillion-dollar data center<\/u><\/a> \u2014 and residents have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.al.com\/news\/2026\/06\/judge-dismisses-residents-lawsuit-against-bessemer-over-massive-data-center.html\" target=\"_blank\"><u>fighting against it<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In the face of the backlash, Stewart posted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1052075457357694\" target=\"_blank\"><u>a new video<\/u><\/a>: The rebranding was just &#8220;a play on words,&#8221; he said, and the festival would not be about AI or data centers. Still, he said, the festival would return to its original name: I Love Irondale.<\/p>\n<p>(Stewart&#8217;s office did not respond to a request for comment.)<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5896481-102\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5565147\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/10\/14\/nx-s1-5565147\/google-ai-data-centers-growth-environment-electricity\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/14\\\/nx-s1-5565147\\\/google-ai-data-centers-growth-environment-electricity&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4160x4160+1040+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe831ae1d4f688f65fb473cc2310e%2Fgettyimages-2224532895.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4160x4160+1040+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe831ae1d4f688f65fb473cc2310e%2Fgettyimages-2224532895.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4160x4160+1040+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe831ae1d4f688f65fb473cc2310e%2Fgettyimages-2224532895.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4160x4160+1040+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe831ae1d4f688f65fb473cc2310e%2Fgettyimages-2224532895.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4160x4160+1040+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe831ae1d4f688f65fb473cc2310e%2Fgettyimages-2224532895.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4160x4160+1040+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe831ae1d4f688f65fb473cc2310e%2Fgettyimages-2224532895.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4160x4160+1040+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe831ae1d4f688f65fb473cc2310e%2Fgettyimages-2224532895.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4160x4160+1040+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F70%2Fe831ae1d4f688f65fb473cc2310e%2Fgettyimages-2224532895.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"Volunteers hand out yard signs in June against a data center complex in West Virginia.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5896481-102\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5896481-103\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5786551\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/12\/nx-s1-5786551\/worries-over-water-as-a-giant-data-center-moves-into-the-new-mexico-desert\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/12\\\/nx-s1-5786551\\\/worries-over-water-as-a-giant-data-center-moves-into-the-new-mexico-desert&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1080x1080+420+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2F02%2F575d8d69405d8b56aa66e1ce2a80%2Fproject-jupiter-worksite-1.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1080x1080+420+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2F02%2F575d8d69405d8b56aa66e1ce2a80%2Fproject-jupiter-worksite-1.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1080x1080+420+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2F02%2F575d8d69405d8b56aa66e1ce2a80%2Fproject-jupiter-worksite-1.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1080x1080+420+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2F02%2F575d8d69405d8b56aa66e1ce2a80%2Fproject-jupiter-worksite-1.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1080x1080+420+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2F02%2F575d8d69405d8b56aa66e1ce2a80%2Fproject-jupiter-worksite-1.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1080x1080+420+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2F02%2F575d8d69405d8b56aa66e1ce2a80%2Fproject-jupiter-worksite-1.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1080x1080+420+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2F02%2F575d8d69405d8b56aa66e1ce2a80%2Fproject-jupiter-worksite-1.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1080x1080+420+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F62%2F02%2F575d8d69405d8b56aa66e1ce2a80%2Fproject-jupiter-worksite-1.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"The building site for the Project Jupiter worksite in Do\u00f1a Ana County, New Mexico\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5896481-103\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>Data centers are a hot topic, especially in parts of the South and the Midwest that are seeing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/04\/20\/g-s1-117729\/data-center-disputes-local-midterms\" target=\"_blank\"><u>biggest construction boom.<\/u><\/a> Local officials often herald them as a source of new jobs and tax dollars \u2014 although once construction is finished, it&#8217;s not clear if they&#8217;ll <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/04\/10\/nx-s1-5355017\/data-centers-bring-money-to-small-towns-but-do-they-also-bring-jobs\" target=\"_blank\"><u>create many permanent jobs<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Yet public disdain for data centers is widespread. A Gallup poll from March found that <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gallup.com\/poll\/709772\/americans-oppose-data-centers-area.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"><u>70% of Americans are opposed<\/u><\/a> to the centers being built where they live. They worry about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/07\/17\/nx-s1-5469933\/virginia-data-centers-residents-saying-no\" target=\"_blank\"><u>noise pollution<\/u><\/a>, and about how power-and-water-hungry data centers would affect their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/02\/03\/nx-s1-5696566\/all-these-data-centers-are-gonna-fry-my-electric-bill-right\" target=\"_blank\"><u>utility bills<\/u><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/10\/14\/nx-s1-5565147\/google-ai-data-centers-growth-environment-electricity\" target=\"_blank\"><u>the environment<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-secondary-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap secondary\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<aside id=\"mid-story-recommendations-mount-piano\" class=\"mid-story-recommendations-mount-piano\" aria-label=\"recommended stories\"\/>\n<!-- END ID=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" CLASS=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" ARIA-LABEL=\"RECOMMENDED STORIES\" --><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My fear is all of the above,&#8221; said Kathleen Haberstroh, who attended the city&#8217;s festival on Saturday, when it went ahead under its original name. &#8220;It just feels predatory.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t like data centers,&#8221; said resident John Horton. He called them &#8220;a waste of space, resources, community.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, he does indeed love Irondale. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to sound corny and say there&#8217;s a certain magic to it, but it&#8217;s right by the railroad tracks. You&#8217;ve got Whistle Stop Cafe,&#8221; he said. &#8220;You have that sunset. I mean there&#8217;s something beautiful about it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5896481-104\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5844328\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/10\/nx-s1-5844328\/us-china-data-centers-foreign-influence\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/10\\\/nx-s1-5844328\\\/us-china-data-centers-foreign-influence&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5464x5464+1364+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fed%2F62b7951b4fc181a4eb775cc817d8%2Fgettyimages-2277371421.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5464x5464+1364+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fed%2F62b7951b4fc181a4eb775cc817d8%2Fgettyimages-2277371421.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5464x5464+1364+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fed%2F62b7951b4fc181a4eb775cc817d8%2Fgettyimages-2277371421.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5464x5464+1364+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fed%2F62b7951b4fc181a4eb775cc817d8%2Fgettyimages-2277371421.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5464x5464+1364+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fed%2F62b7951b4fc181a4eb775cc817d8%2Fgettyimages-2277371421.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5464x5464+1364+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fed%2F62b7951b4fc181a4eb775cc817d8%2Fgettyimages-2277371421.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5464x5464+1364+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fed%2F62b7951b4fc181a4eb775cc817d8%2Fgettyimages-2277371421.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5464x5464+1364+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2Fed%2F62b7951b4fc181a4eb775cc817d8%2Fgettyimages-2277371421.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"Protesters hold signs in front the of the Utah State Capitol building to oppose the construction of the Stratos data center on May 23, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The most prominent sign in the photo reads: &quot;DON'T LET BILLIONAIRES DESTROY OUR HOME!&quot;\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5896481-104\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5896481-105\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5718416\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/04\/03\/nx-s1-5718416\/ai-data-centers-in-space-spacex-elon-musk\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/03\\\/nx-s1-5718416\\\/ai-data-centers-in-space-spacex-elon-musk&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3002x3000+587+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Fd9%2F936554d84bcf83070ad07dfb180a%2F2026-04-datacenterspace.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3002x3000+587+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Fd9%2F936554d84bcf83070ad07dfb180a%2F2026-04-datacenterspace.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3002x3000+587+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Fd9%2F936554d84bcf83070ad07dfb180a%2F2026-04-datacenterspace.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3002x3000+587+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Fd9%2F936554d84bcf83070ad07dfb180a%2F2026-04-datacenterspace.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3002x3000+587+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Fd9%2F936554d84bcf83070ad07dfb180a%2F2026-04-datacenterspace.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3002x3000+587+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Fd9%2F936554d84bcf83070ad07dfb180a%2F2026-04-datacenterspace.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3002x3000+587+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Fd9%2F936554d84bcf83070ad07dfb180a%2F2026-04-datacenterspace.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3002x3000+587+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Fd9%2F936554d84bcf83070ad07dfb180a%2F2026-04-datacenterspace.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"This collage shows photos of a SpaceX Starship spacecraft taking flight, Elon Musk, a data center in California and the International Space Station above Earth. Many of the photos are in the shapes of parallelograms or trapezoids.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5896481-105\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>Amelia Fielder also praised the city she&#8217;s lived in for 26 years. However, she&#8217;s not opposed to the idea of AI in Irondale and would welcome a data center neighbor, believing it would bring jobs.<\/p>\n<p>She also said this year&#8217;s festival was the biggest yet, and she didn&#8217;t have an issue with its brief renaming after AI. &#8220;Everything else is AI,&#8221; said Fielder. &#8220;Why not?&#8221;<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>City councilmember Aaron Sims, spotted at the festival, said he does not expect any huge data centers to come to Irondale.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t have 150 acres just sitting out there for a big hyperscale facility,&#8221; he said. But, he said, the council is creating new rules in case a developer is interested in building a smaller data center. <\/p>\n<p>On the reason for the attempt to rename the festival, Sims said, &#8220;I think the mayor just realized that, you know, AI is here. Tech is here. We want our citizens educated on the future. This is the little taste today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Even with AI no longer in the name, the festival did have something of a tech theme. Dancers on stilts \u2014 dressed as robots \u2014 moved to a Spanish version of &#8220;Achy Breaky Heart.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-135075\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 1213;&#10;        --source-height: 683;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/png\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/png\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/png\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/png\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/png\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/png\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/png\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/png\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/png\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1213x683+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fad%2Fd7524d014625b0b8c644c966c188%2Fdancing-robot2.png\" class=\"img\" alt=\"A dancer on stilts dressed as a robot\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                A dancer on stilts is dressed as a robot &#8212; but not doing &#8220;the robot&#8221; &#8212; at I Love Irondale Day, July 22, 2026.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    Stephan Bisaha\/NPR<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        Stephan Bisaha\/NPR<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>There was a screen set up where festival-goers were supposed to answer questions to teach a chatbot about Irondale \u2014 but it was not working.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-third-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap third\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>The festival&#8217;s big tech hit was the drone show finale. Dewar Gaines watched with his son as drones gathered in the sky to form the Statue of Liberty, the American flag and spelled out &#8220;I Love Irondale.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5896481-106\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5791661\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/04\/nx-s1-5791661\/chatgpt-gemini-claude-subscription-revenue-openai\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/04\\\/nx-s1-5791661\\\/chatgpt-gemini-claude-subscription-revenue-openai&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4149x4149+253+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff0%2Fa1%2F0dfd5e0f43038767ca25704297d6%2Fgettyimages-2272282112.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4149x4149+253+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff0%2Fa1%2F0dfd5e0f43038767ca25704297d6%2Fgettyimages-2272282112.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4149x4149+253+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff0%2Fa1%2F0dfd5e0f43038767ca25704297d6%2Fgettyimages-2272282112.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4149x4149+253+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff0%2Fa1%2F0dfd5e0f43038767ca25704297d6%2Fgettyimages-2272282112.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4149x4149+253+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff0%2Fa1%2F0dfd5e0f43038767ca25704297d6%2Fgettyimages-2272282112.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4149x4149+253+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff0%2Fa1%2F0dfd5e0f43038767ca25704297d6%2Fgettyimages-2272282112.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4149x4149+253+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff0%2Fa1%2F0dfd5e0f43038767ca25704297d6%2Fgettyimages-2272282112.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4149x4149+253+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff0%2Fa1%2F0dfd5e0f43038767ca25704297d6%2Fgettyimages-2272282112.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"A woman uses a laptop as she lies on the grass in a park in the Manhattan borough of New York City on April 24, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5896481-106\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>Gaines, who owns a dog treat factory in Irondale, has heard firsthand how loud data centers can be and doesn&#8217;t want one built near him.<\/p>\n<p>That said, he relies on AI for work. &#8220;So I guess I&#8217;m a hypocrite in that regard,&#8221; said Gaines. &#8220;Because it&#8217;s the most powerful tool I have.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Festival-goers sit outside Irondale, Alabama&#8217;s city hall on I Love Irondale Day, July 18, 2026. Stephan Bisaha\/NPR hide caption toggle caption Stephan Bisaha\/NPR Sign up and be the first to hear about new Tiny Desk concerts and behind the scenes glimpses Every summer, the I Love Irondale Day festival celebrates the small city neighboring Birmingham,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14734,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5712x3213+0+0\/resize\/1400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F81%2F506ae070415bb8855c968ac1c927%2Fimg-0230.JPG","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14733"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14733\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}