On June 10, 2026 Building Equity and Alignment for Environmental Justice (BEA) and the Health and Environmental Funders Network (HEFN) co-hosted AI in Our Communities: From Data Centers to Democracy. This virtual funder briefing reached more than 350 funders, philanthropic consultants, and philanthropy-serving organizations and examined one of the most pressing environmental justice issues of our time: the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and the infrastructure powering it.

Together, we explored how the growth of data centers is reshaping communities, placing increasing demands on land, water, energy, public health, and democratic decision-making. The discussion centered on a critical question: What do we know about where and how AI is being deployed, the infrastructure it requires, and the real impacts on the communities living alongside it?

The conversation featured Dr. Virginia Necochea (New Mexico Environmental Law Center), Dwaign Tyndal (Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE), Lisa Owens (The Hyams Foundation) and was moderated by BEA Executive Director, Linda Saleh.The panel explored what this moment demands of philanthropy, from investing in frontline organizing and community leadership to engaging in cross-sector partnerships that can help shape a more just and equitable future.