On December 4, 2025, media outlets reported that a wave of protests had erupted among residents in the Boxtown neighborhood of Memphis, directed at Musk's xAI data center, known as 'Colossus'. The protesters alleged that the facility was emitting noxious gases and contaminating local water sources. Residents have described experiencing a range of respiratory issues and a noticeable decline in their overall quality of life. They have sharply criticized the data center for worsening the community's health and environmental conditions. Reports also indicate that xAI is in the process of expanding a second data center and has acquired a power plant to meet its electricity demands. However, the long-term consequences of these developments remain uncertain.
