Scotland is facing growing opposition to a proposed wave of large data centres as communities question the impact of the infrastructure needed to support Britain's rapidly expanding AI and cloud-computing industry.

Major developments have been proposed in Scotland as demand for AI computing power, cloud services and data storage continues to increase. However, residents and campaigners are increasingly raising concerns about the scale of some projects and their effect on local infrastructure.

One area attracting particular attention is Auchtertool in Fife, where opposition to proposed data-centre development has intensified. Concerns include the amount of electricity required by large computing facilities and the wider environmental and community impact.

The debate reflects a much bigger technology challenge facing the UK. Artificial intelligence requires enormous computing infrastructure, but expanding that infrastructure can place additional pressure on electricity networks, land and local communities.

Scotland has ambitions to attract technology investment and benefit from the AI economy, but campaigners are calling for stronger planning controls and clearer limits on where major data centres can be built.

The coming debate could help determine how Britain balances its AI ambitions with energy, environmental and community concerns.