Mississippi residents sue SpaceX and xAI over AI plant noise nuisance.

Residents of Mississippi have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI and SpaceX, alleging that a gas-fired power plant constructed to support nearby artificial intelligence data centers has created a public nuisance through excessive noise. Filed in federal court in Oxford on Tuesday, the case claims the companies negligently allowed the disturbance to persist, subjecting thousands of people to constant vibrations and sound that the plaintiffs argue is eroding their health and diminishing property values.

The complaint, brought by three individuals on behalf of a class of more than 10,000 residents, states that the artificial intelligence boom is "wreaking havoc" on communities across the United States. The suit seeks damages for emotional distress and reduced home values, as well as disgorgement of profits from an unspecified amount. The defendants include SpaceX, xAI, and its subsidiary MZX Tech; Elon Musk himself is not named as a defendant.

Robert Wiygul, attorney for the plaintiffs, described the impact of the noise in a statement. "Our homes are supposed to be a sanctuary for us against the world," Wiygul said. "However, when they are invaded by noise 24 hours a day, it takes that fundamental peace of a good and decent life away from us."

The power plant at Southaven was built with more than $20 billion in investment from xAI, a figure supported by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. Gas turbines at the facility are used to power data centers in and around the area, generating the noise and vibration central to the lawsuit.

This legal action follows a separate civil rights challenge brought by the NAACP in April, which accused xAI of violating U.S. environmental rules regarding the plant and data centers. That case remains pending. In a recent court filing, the U.S. Department of Justice indicated it may intervene in the NAACP lawsuit, noting that the dispute raises significant legal and policy questions about the government's role in overseeing AI infrastructure.