US data centers targeted by organized thefts amid AI boom

The rapid expansion of artificial‑intelligence data centers in the United States has drawn the attention of criminal groups. In Illinois, police recovered two trucks loaded with copper cable bundles worth about $300,000 and additional materials valued at roughly $1 million, confirming a pattern of high‑value robberies. Law‑enforcement agencies estimate that thefts from AI‑related facilities generate up to $35 billion in losses each year, prompting concerns across the industry.

Organized crime networks, traditionally focused on retail theft, are now exploiting the lucrative supply chain of copper, chips and DRAM used in large‑scale data centers. Some groups employ generative‑AI tools to impersonate legitimate transport companies and manipulate security communications, enabling multi‑million‑dollar heists. The surge in data‑center construction, driven by unprecedented AI investment, is therefore creating new security challenges for operators and regulators alike.