Have you ever wondered what might happen if you crossed an agricultural community with the highest form of human technology?

We went to the Valley to find out! In this season of Electric Futures, we describe how the demand for AI is altering the fabric of not only California’s Imperial Valley but of communities across the country.

In this first episode, we catch you up on what’s happening in the Valley and discover the most amazing coincidence that sharpens our interest and brings this season closer to home…

This is Season 3 of Electric Futures: The Data Center Next Door.

You can follow us on Instagram at⁠ ⁠⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠⁠⁠.

Additional resources from USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication:

The Data Center Next Door, Key Considerations for Communities Navigating Data Center Development

How to Create a Climate Podcast

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Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by me, Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our supervising producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Imperial Valley College student Tahjah Fortune is our production assistant. This episode was directed by Spencer Cline and story edited by Mallory Carra. It was edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

Technical supervision was provided by Sebastian Grubaugh, Tom Norris, and S-R Meredith. Video interviews were directed by Makayla Idelburg. With special thanks to USC professors Leslie Berestein Rojas and Edward Lifson.

Our cover art is by Kim Ly. All music and sound effects are used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.