HomeTechnologyxAI spent $7M building wall that barely muffles annoying power plant noise

xAI spent $7M building wall that barely muffles annoying power plant noise

TechnologyFebruary 27, 2026
1 min read
xAI spent $7M building wall that barely muffles annoying power plant noise
“Temu sound wall” not enough to quell fury over xAI’s power plant.

For miles around xAI's makeshift power plant in Southaven, Mississippi, neighbors have endured months of constant roaring, erupting pops, and bursts of high-pitched whining from 27 temporary gas turbines installed without consulting the community.

In a report on Thursday, NBC News interviewed residents fighting to shut down xAI's turbines. They confirmed that xAI operates the turbines day and night, allegedly tormenting residents in order to power xAI founder Elon Musk's unbridled AI ambitions.

Eventually, 41 permanent gas turbines—that supposedly won't be as noisy—will be installed, if xAI can secure the permitting. In the meantime, xAI has erected a $7 million "sound barrier" that's supposed to mitigate some of the noise.

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Source: Ars Technica

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