One of the first Eastern Shore communities to be faced with the question of data centers has now become the first to ban them. Federalsburg’s Town Council voted last Wednesday to pass an ordinance prohibiting the facilities within its limits.  As we previously reported,  Federalsburg began exploring the possibility of bringing a data center to the town in June of this year. A presentation shared by the town said a new Fieldstone Technology Center was “intended to support advanced digital infrastructure uses, including potential data center development.”, however it was quickly met with strong backlash from some members of the community.  Ultimately, Federalsburg approved a three-year moratorium on data centers, with several other Delmarva communities and counties following suit.  That moratorium has now escalated into an outright ban.  The Federalsburg Town Council also discussed an ordinance to add a ballot question asking residents if they are in favor of or against data centers which could possibly appear on this year’s ballot. In the meantime, the new data center ban remains in effect.  

The Talbot County Board of Education recently officially passed its first formal artificial intelligence policy.  The decision aligns with the state’s mandate under Maryland’s Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act, which requires local school districts across Maryland to establish clear regulations governing AI use in classrooms.  The Talbot County Board of Education recently officially passed its first formal artificial intelligence policy.  The decision aligns with the state’s mandate under Maryland’s Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act, which requires local school districts across Maryland to establish clear regulations governing AI use in classrooms.