Market Chatter: Microsoft Workers Raise Concerns Over AI Data Center Impact

12:33 PM EDT, 08/28/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Microsoft (MSFT) workers have raised concerns about the impact of its artificial intelligence data centers on energy use, water consumption, emissions, and local communities, Bloomberg News reported Friday, citing Development Chief Noelle Walsh's memo to employees. Walsh acknowledged that AI growth is making it harder to meet emissions goals, but pointed to more energy-efficient hardware, lower water usage, and the company's plans to add up to 40 gigawatts of renewable energy, the report said. She added that over 90% of decommissioned data center hardware is reused or recycled, according to the report. Microsoft didn't immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.) Price: 516.65, Change: +11.59, Percent Change: +2.29