US backs xAI's data center turbines amid NAACP pollution lawsuit; Grok used in military strikes
The US Department of Justice defended xAI's gas turbines powering its AI data center in a June 15 legal brief, arguing that shutting them would threaten national security by cutting power for AI innovation supporting military operations. Simultaneously, the NAACP sued xAI for operating dozens of turbines without permits, claiming they pollute majority Black neighborhoods in violation of the Clean Air Act; xAI counters that the turbines are temporary and mobile, thus not subject to regulation. The brief also revealed, via testimony from Pentagon AI chief Cameron Stanley, that Elon Musk's Grok AI is already used in Project Maven, the US military's AI-assisted targeting program that helped deploy over 2,000 munitions in 96 hours during Operation Epic Fury. Separately, X announced measures in January 2026 to prevent Grok from generating sexualized images of real people after global backlash. In February, Musk folded xAI into SpaceX, which completed a record IPO on June 12, 2026.
This convergence of AI expansion, military use, environmental justice, and major corporate moves highlights tensions between technological advancement and community impact—especially for Black communities worldwide, including the Nigerian diaspora. The lawsuit underscores how AI infrastructure can raise environmental justice concerns, while military applications show AI's growing role in warfare. The SpaceX IPO signals continued investor confidence in Musk's ventures despite controversies.
As AI expands globally, what safeguards should ensure it doesn't disproportionately harm marginalized communities?