Great Talk Inc. invites Baltimore residents and anyone interested in the future of artificial intelligence to a free public discussion on October 14, 2026. The event, titled The Data Center Outrage: Can AI Survive Without Data Centers?, will begin at 7 p.m. in the H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons, 11415 Maryland Ave, University of Baltimore. Registration is open to both in‑person attendees and livestream viewers.
Panelists
Carl Braun, Co‑Founder and CEO of the Data Center Group, brings more than a decade of experience in land development, infrastructure strategy and commercial real‑estate brokerage. Braun’s firm identifies and develops premier data‑center sites across the United States, handling everything from early land qualification to full‑scale development. He has overseen projects in multiple regions of Virginia and ten additional states, focusing on power, fiber, zoning and user requirements.
Tyson Slocum, Director of Public Citizen’s Energy Program, leads the organization’s work on sustainable, affordable energy and climate‑related policy. Slocum frequently testifies before Congress and intervenes on behalf of the public interest at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He has appeared on major news outlets and authored research on AI data‑center energy demand, emphasizing an equitable energy transition for working families.
Dr. Jessica A. Stansbury, Director of the Center for AI Learning at the University of Baltimore, focuses on AI literacy, equitable access and community readiness. Stansbury’s work includes the Human AI Landscape framework and AI Navigator model, which help organizations understand how people experience and adapt to AI. She has led university‑wide AI initiatives, faculty‑development programs and community‑engaged projects, and was named one of 100 Changemakers by the AI‑Powered Women initiative.
Moderator
Dr. Courtney C. Radsch, journalist and AI‑governance expert, will moderate the discussion. Radsch leads the Center for Media & Digital Governance at the Open Markets Institute and serves as a non‑resident fellow at Brookings. Her expertise spans tech policy, competition, antitrust and freedom of expression, and she has testified before legislative bodies worldwide.
Why the discussion matters
Data centers power the rapid growth of generative AI, yet they consume significant electricity and require extensive fiber infrastructure. The panel will explore whether AI can thrive without expanding data‑center capacity, what energy‑efficiency measures are feasible, and how communities can balance technological advancement with responsible resource use.
How to join
Registration is free and open to the public. Interested participants can sign up through the Great Talk Inc. website or attend the livestream via the provided link. The event offers an opportunity for Baltimore citizens, students, business leaders and policymakers to engage directly with experts shaping the nation’s digital infrastructure.
About Great Talk Inc.
Great Talk Inc. produces public‑interest forums that connect experts with local audiences on pressing technology, policy and societal issues. By hosting free, accessible events, the organization aims to foster informed community dialogue and empower residents to participate in decisions that affect their daily lives.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
