TOWARD OUR DIGITAL FUTURE
Leitmotiv is a think-and-do tank for an alternative digital economy.
Last week
How 'big' is Big Tech in the Netherlands?
Our first findings from our analysis of the EED data showed that according to information reported by data centers in the Netherlands, only one-third of their data center space is filled with IT equipment (including servers) and two-thirds of the available electrical connection capacity remains unused.
And – only 104 of the approximately 160 data centers of more than 500 kW have reported to the RVO, despite their legal reporting obligation.
In our most recent blog, we estimate Microsoft's data centers in the Netherlands currently claim approximately 548 MW of grid capacity — equivalent to the grid capacity claimed by over 1,9 million Dutch households. This estimated electricity use by Microsoft equals almost 1,4% of all electricity use in the Netherlands in 2024.
Our perspective
The AI boom has sparked an unprecedented build-out of digital infrastructure that consumes vast amounts of resources while contributing to climate change, pollution, and grid congestion.
A handful of extremely powerful corporations dominate the supply chain of the digital economy from chip production to cloud services and beyond.
And the benefits of digitalization - that were believed to be manifold and democratically shared a mere decade ago - appear to be captured mostly by a new tech elite and their political allies.
Our 'Leitmotiv' is to promote an alternative digital economy that operates within planetary boundaries and where the benefits of digitalization are shared equitably and democratically .
Leitmotiv focuses on research that can help reshape the digital economy. Our research is meant to contribute to legal advocacy and strategic litigation. We aim to support an active community of NGOs, grassroots activists, donors, and others in civil society in various regions of the world
