A major national podcast is bringing a conversation about artificial intelligence's impact on rural America to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, on Sunday, June 14. The live taping of Tangle News's "Suspensions of the Rules!" will feature a panel discussion examining how AI technology and the data centers powering it could fundamentally reshape rural communities, from job markets to social cohesion.

What Makes This Conversation Different From Other AI Debates?

Most discussions about artificial intelligence happen in major metropolitan areas where tech companies cluster. But Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News, decided to bring his podcast to a smaller community to explore questions that rarely make headlines in tech coverage. Rather than focusing solely on whether AI will replace jobs, the panel will dig into deeper social and cultural impacts that rural regions might face.

"We've seen what really big shifts like deindustrialization can do to regions like this, and I think there's a chance that artificial intelligence has a similar kind of impact," said Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News. "What does it do to social cohesion if there are fewer people working at cashier checkout lines? What does it do if high school kids who live in rural West Virginia are making friends with artificial intelligence robots instead of friends after school hanging out?"

Isaac Saul, Founder of Tangle News

The panel will bring together three prominent voices in media and politics. Andy Mills, co-creator of The New York Times's "The Daily" podcast and the series "The Last Invention" about AI, will join Kat Rosenfield, an author and cultural commentator for The Free Press, and Kmele Foster, co-host of The Fifth Column and political commentator on CNN NewsNight.

How Are Experts Actually Using AI Tools in Their Work?

One of the panelists, Kmele Foster, is an active user of large language models (LLMs), which are AI systems trained on vast amounts of text to understand and generate human language. Foster specifically mentioned using Google NotebookLM, a tool that helps professionals with research and writing tasks. His perspective on AI adoption offers a practical counterpoint to both utopian and apocalyptic predictions about the technology.

"Will AI steal all of our jobs? Well, it will have to stop hallucinating and making up stuff first," said Kmele Foster, co-host of The Fifth Column. "That's probably going to be a limiting factor on its ability to steal all of our jobs."

Kmele Foster, Co-host of The Fifth Column

Foster remains both optimistic and skeptical about AI's benefits. He worries that AI has become a catch-all term for various concerns, which could lead to overregulation. He also cautioned against the political consensus that AI is all-important, which he believes could justify extraordinary policy decisions without sufficient scrutiny.

What Are the Specific Concerns About Data Centers in West Virginia?

West Virginia is experiencing a surge in data center development, the massive facilities that power AI systems and cloud computing. The state legislature passed House Bill 2014 last year, creating special tax incentives and zoning exemptions for data center projects. According to DataCenterMap.com, nine data centers are either active or under construction in the state.

• Monarch Compute Campus: A major project in Mason County raising concerns about emissions and water usage
• Penzance Project: Located in Berkeley County, facing questions about sound levels and local taxation impacts
• Fundamental Data Ridgeline Facility: Situated in Tucker County, prompting discussions about school funding and resource demands

These projects have sparked significant community pushback. Residents worry about emissions, noise pollution, water consumption, and how tax incentives affect school funding and local services. Some states are taking different approaches; Ohio is pausing tax breaks for data center projects, while New York has implemented a moratorium on new facilities.

Foster offered a nuanced perspective on data center development. He argued that these projects should be allowed to proceed but questioned whether government should be subsidizing them through tax breaks. He suggested that practical regulations, such as ensuring data centers don't overwhelm local power and water supplies, make sense.

How to Engage With the Broader AI Policy Conversation

• Attend Local Events: The live podcast taping at the Historic Star Theater in Berkeley Springs begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, with tickets available through Tickettailor
• Follow Balanced News Sources: Tangle News presents political arguments from left, right, and center perspectives, helping audiences understand multiple viewpoints on AI policy
• Ask Local Questions: Engage with how AI and data centers specifically affect your community's economy, environment, and social fabric rather than treating AI as an abstract concept

Saul emphasized that bringing this conversation to a smaller community represents a commitment to civil dialogue. He noted that much of the disruption from AI has already occurred in areas like coding, yet predictions of wholesale job displacement across entire industries haven't materialized as quickly as some forecasted.

"Bringing this to stage in a place like Berkeley Springs is about walking the walk on having the dialogue, having these conversations, and doing it in a way that's actually civil and productive," said Isaac Saul. "It is about planting our flag and saying we can share a stage together without it being vitriolic and full of hate and anger."

Isaac Saul, Founder of Tangle News

The event reflects a broader shift in how AI policy is being discussed. Rather than treating artificial intelligence as a monolithic threat or solution, experts are beginning to examine its specific impacts on different regions and communities. For rural areas like West Virginia, understanding how AI-driven economic changes might unfold offers a chance to prepare and shape policy before major disruptions occur.