But isn't it kind of one-sided to single out data centers like that?

Most emissions are harder to reduce because industry isn't electrified (it runs directly on oil/coal not electricity). This is electricity usage. Electricity emissions are the easiest to avoid.

AI industry also promises to replace everyone, and they have access to large amounts of capital they could use for renewables.

That they punch down on everyone, including people outside of their country who don't benefit from the tax revenue they'll generate, with massive amounts of emissions, is a slap in the face.

Sure. But a race to the bottom isn't a vision for the future.

Tech used to offer society a vision for the future.

It doesn't help that I think datacenters are the means of digital oppression rather than the means of digital empowerment.

Oppression is where you get people hooked on something but then lock it away and use your complete control over supply to extract rent. Gradually the rent will become so high that only the most abusive profit-seekers can afford to pay it.

Empowerment is owning technology so that its purpose is to work for you, rather than to extract rent from you. Tech that empowers individuals usually doesn't need giant chain-link fences around it.