TECH REPORTING GOES OFFLINE AS AI DATACENTRES TAKE CENTRE STAGE

Tech reporting has traditionally focused on software and online platforms. That's changing as journalists increasingly venture into the field to cover AI's physical footprint. Datacentres represent some of the world's most complex engineering projects, requiring on-the-ground investigation that traditional tech reporting rarely involved. The shift reflects broader industry changes: from screen-based services to real-world infrastructure with tangible environmental and social consequences. Guardian journalists are documenting the scale and impact of these facilities—from resource consumption to supply chain implications. This "shoe-leather reporting" marks a significant departure from desk-based tech coverage. The move highlights how technology's influence has expanded beyond digital spaces into manufacturing, energy consumption, and physical geography. Understanding modern tech now requires reporting methods historically associated with infrastructure and environmental journalism.