Tech Giant Transparency Under Fire in Data Center Dispute

Microsoft is now known as the company behind a large data center plan in a small Michigan township.

For months, local leaders and residents did not know who was funding the project.

That changed after public records and local reporting tied the plan to Microsoft.

Why the project caused anger

The proposed data center would cover hundreds of acres.

It would use large amounts of water and power.

Residents worry about noise, traffic, and harm to farmland.

Many feel they were left out of early talks.

Concerns about trust and process

Local officials said early meetings were limited.

The company name was not shared at first.

That raised fears about honesty and public input.

After the link to Microsoft became public, pressure grew fast.

What Microsoft says

Microsoft said it followed local rules.

The company said data centers support cloud services and AI tools.

It also said it plans to work with the community.

Still, it did not commit to changing the project.

Why this matters for tech leaders

Data centers are key to cloud growth and AI work.

They also bring social and political risk.

Local trust can shape timelines, costs, and brand image.

Large tech plans now face close public review.

Big tech growth now depends as much on people and place as on power and servers.

Many tech leaders once pushed a cloud first plan for all systems.

AI is now changing that plan in a big way.

Why cloud first is fading

AI tools need fast response times.

They also need steady access to large amounts of data.

Sending all data to far away cloud systems can slow things down.

Costs also rise fast when AI runs all day in the cloud.

Why hybrid systems are back

Hybrid setups mix cloud systems with local systems.

This lets firms keep some data close to where it is used.

It also helps control costs and meet rules on data use.

For AI work, this mix often works better than cloud alone.

What leaders must rethink

Cloud first was simple and clear.

Hybrid plans need more planning and skills.

Teams must decide what runs in the cloud and what stays local.

Security and data rules become more complex.

What this means going forward

AI is forcing firms to rethink past choices.

Cloud still matters, but it is no longer the only answer.

Smart leaders will pick systems based on real needs, not old rules.

AI is pushing IT plans toward balance, not extremes.

Cloud providers are quietly rebuilding their platforms around generative AI - and dragging you along for the ride.

In this episode of Cloud Computing Insider, Dave breaks down how AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are shifting from general purpose cloud to AI native cloud, where everything is optimized (and monetized) around GPUs, proprietary models, and tightly integrated AI services.

We’ll look at why this is happening now, how it shows up in your architecture and your bill, and why "AI ready" often really means "AI locked in".

From exploding inference costs to agentic AI baked into workflows, you’ll see how the defaults are being stacked in the providers’ favor.

But this isn’t just a rant - we’ll also explore your options. Do you lean into the hyperscalers’ AI platforms, or start carving out room for AltClouds like private, sovereign, and MSP run clouds that aren’t rebuilding everything around AI?

How do you keep data, models, and architecture portable enough that you still have real choices in three years?

If you care about cloud costs, control, and long-term flexibility, this is the AI/cloud conversation you actually need to hear.

Cloud security plans often start with tools, but tools are not the real driver.

People, choices, and daily habits matter more than products.

What really shapes cloud security

Many breaches start with simple mistakes.

Misused access rights and weak setup cause most problems.

Teams move fast in the cloud and safety often comes later.

Security follows how teams work, not the other way around.

Skills and culture gaps

Many firms lack staff who fully understand cloud risks.

Security teams may not know how fast developers ship changes.

This gap leads to blind spots and misses alerts.

Training matters as much as spending.

Rules and shared duty

Cloud safety is a shared duty between the provider and the customer.

Many teams still get this wrong.

Knowing who owns each task is key.

Clear rules reduce confusion and blame.

Tools still matter, but last

Security tools help only after basics are in place.

Good access control and clear roles come first.

Simple checks done often beat complex tools used rarely.

Strong cloud security starts with people and clear choices, not with buying more software.

AWS and Infosys announced a new partnership focused on generative AI for large firms.

The goal is to help companies use AI faster and at scale.

What the partnership includes

Infosys will use AWS AI tools and cloud services.

These tools include models, data systems, and AI building blocks.

The work will focus on real business uses, not demos.

Examples include customer support, code help, and business planning.

Why firms care

Many firms want AI but struggle to move from tests to real use.

Cost, skills, and data setup slow them down.

AWS brings the cloud base.

Infosys brings deep company know how and delivery teams.

This mix aims to cut delays and lower risk.

Focus on rules and safety

The plan includes strong controls for data use.

Security and privacy are built into the setup.

This matters for firms in banking, health, and government.

AI must follow clear rules to gain trust.

What it signals for leaders

Big firms are moving past AI talk into daily use.

Partners now matter as much as tools.

Cloud and service firms are joining forces to meet demand.

Generative AI is shifting from promise to practice inside large firms.

Epicor, a major ERP vendor, announced it will stop releasing new versions of its on-premises software including Kinetic, Prophet 21, and BisTrack.

Final updates and tiered support will roll out over the coming months, giving companies time to adjust.

Why these matters

Shifting fully to Epicor Cloud allows companies to use new tools without managing their own servers.

However, organizations in regulated industries or handling sensitive data may face extra challenges.

Analysts note this is more than a hosting change. It represents a long-term shift in how businesses will operate with ERP systems.

Implications for CIOs and CTOs

Firms must plan migrations carefully to maintain compliance and avoid disruption.

Staff training, data security, and process changes will be key to a smooth transition.

Epicor’s move signals that cloud adoption is becoming the only path forward for many enterprise software platforms.