Oakland University bets on AI data center to give students a competitive edge -- not everyone agrees

Oakland University’s Board of Trustees has approved moving forward with a plan to build a data center and AI institute on campus, shifting the proposed site to a parking lot farther from sensitive areas after opposition. The facility, a partnership with Fairmount Properties, is intended to advance student opportunities in technology, though some students and community members voice concerns about environmental impacts and the proximity to a Native American heritage site. The project now enters a due diligence phase to examine finances, infrastructure, and environmental effects.