‘These guys are just coming from nothing’: questions over multibillion-dollar Firmus float amid datacentre backlash

‘AI factories’ developer on track to launch the second-biggest IPO in Australian history, but investors warn its forecasts are ‘a little bit of a fairytale’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast From her balcony in Launceston, Kayla Thompson can see the buzz of construction at what will soon be one of Australia’s first AI factories.

Her teenage stepchildren get an even clearer view from their classroom window. Like many of her neighbours, Thompson didn’t realise Firmus Technologies had an ambitious plan to build datacentres…