Would we approve such a pharmaceutical product? Probably not. Artificial intelligence is not literally a drug, and using an AI assistant is not the same as developing a physiological addiction to an opioid. But as a way of thinking about benefit, dosage, dependence, side-effects, externalities and regulation, the pharmaceutical comparison is surprisingly useful.

They underpin cloud computing, banking, telecommunications, government services, healthcare, research, business systems and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. They will also be important to Australia’s sovereign digital capability. Australia cannot sensibly depend entirely on computing infrastructure located overseas. So, the question is no longer whether Australia should build data centres.

But Australia's leading environmental issues exist around climate, water and power. Data Centres are more than just a component of the technology that drives the digital landscape and AI. Data Centres like Power Generation facilities are national infrastructure. If fact the data centers within Australia can reach beyond Australian boarders.