A debate about whether building massive AI compute in Utah is worth the surveillance risks, framed as bad news for privacy advocates.

• O'Leary wants the US to build huge AI computing centers to beat China, including a 40,000-acre site in Utah.
• Tucker warns this copies China's total-surveillance system, letting the government track location and phone activity.
• O'Leary argues it's a choice between two evils and the US must win the compute race against China.
• Local approval came from just three county commissioners voting yes, not a public referendum.
• Tucker says big tech can easily sway a handful of rural officials with billions in investment money.

Outlook: The Utah data center project is moving forward despite thin local consent, and surveillance concerns will keep growing as US AI infrastructure expands.