📣 Who's Doing the Recommending? What This Week's AI News Means for the Valley
Or: TikTok Picks Restaurants, Google’s AI Opens Its Doors, and TVA Says No AI Data Center Is Running on Its System Yet
By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Thursday, October 29, 2026
Every town has a fellow at the feed store who can tell a newcomer where to get the best plate lunch, who fixes mowers right, and which mechanic won’t overcharge. That’s word of mouth, and it’s how most Valley businesses have always been found.
That’s the thread in this week’s AI news. More and more, a machine is doing the recommending: a video app suggesting restaurants, an AI assistant answering “who should I call?”, even your web browser filling in the blanks for you. The good news is you can still have a say in what it says.
Here’s the roundup: at a UTC panel in Chattanooga, TVA said no AI data center is running on its system today, and a neighbor from Jackson County, Ala., described life with Google’s data center, TikTok launched a restaurant guide built from more than 40 million posts, Google is letting outside apps work inside its AI and started showing ads in follow-up answers, a new service checks whether AI assistants recommend your business, Chrome can now fill in tracking numbers from your Gmail, a federal deal makes AI cheaper for county and city offices, and Microsoft says it opened 24 new data centers in three months. Not one of these calls for worry. Most just call for asking, “Who’s recommending this, and how do they know?”
⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds
- Hearing data-center talk? TVA says no AI data center is running on its system today. We’ve found no verified proposal in Sequatchie County.
- Own a restaurant? More folks pick where to eat from videos and AI. One honest short clip helps.
- Use Google’s AI answers? Anything marked “Sponsored” is an ad.
- Own any business? Ask an AI assistant about your town and see if your name comes up, with the right hours.
- Use Chrome and Gmail? Autofill can now pull order and tracking numbers, only if you’ve turned on Google’s Personal Intelligence. You can switch it off in settings.
- Curious about the courthouse? AI just got cheaper for local governments. Fair question: “Who checks the work?”
⚡ TVA Says No AI Data Center Is Running on Its System Yet
On Wednesday, UTC and the Chattanooga Chamber held a public panel on data centers with speakers from TVA, EPB and the Jackson County (Ala.) Economic Development Authority. TVA’s Jared Mitchum said that on TVA’s system, “we only have about five or six customers” that count as data centers, mostly crypto-mining operations, “not an AI data center in service today.” He said a big project now means 1,000 megawatts, about what it takes to run Chattanooga on any given day. On bills, he said, “Regardless of data centers, prices are going to be driven up, but there’s no direct impact on Chattanooga rates because of data centers.” Nathan Lee of Jackson County, which borders Marion County, said Google’s data center there, opened nearly ten years ago, has “100 Googlers” plus 150 more people on site any day, and is “our largest tax base in Jackson County,” even with tax incentives. (Quotes as reported by Local 3 News.)
It’s like asking the neighbor who already bought the big tractor how it’s holding up before you even think about one yourself.
What it means for you: When data-center rumors start, you now have two calm facts to remember: TVA says no AI data center is in service on its system today, and as of Wednesday evening we found no verified proposal in Sequatchie, Bledsoe or Marion counties. And the closest real-world example, right across the state line, comes with numbers from the man who helped bring it.
🍽️ TikTok Wants to Tell You Where to Eat
TikTok launched Must Eat, a restaurant guide inside its app built from more than 40 million posts, reviews and comments. You can filter by type of food, price, rating, distance and “open now,” watch videos about each place, and book some restaurants through OpenTable. Lists come in two flavors: “Everyday Eats” and “Elevated Dining.” For now it’s only in New York City, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, and The Verge reports restaurants can’t pay to be featured. (Numbers are TikTok’s.)
It’s like asking the loudest table at the Saturday potluck which dish to try. You’ll hear about the popular ones, but maybe not Aunt Ruth’s quiet casserole that’s been good for forty years.
What it means for you: It’s not here yet. But it shows where “where should we eat?” is headed, especially for younger folks. If you run a restaurant, one honest 30-second video of your best plate goes a long way, and a complete local directory still knows the quiet good spots an app might miss.
🚪 Google’s AI Opens Its Doors, and Adds Ads to Follow-Up Answers
Google announced a way for businesses and developers to plug their own apps into Gemini and Google Search, so the AI can use them to help answer questions. It’s an early test for U.S. developers with a waitlist. Gemini already works with more than 50 outside apps, Google says, and they’re coming to Search in the next few weeks, TechCrunch reports. Separately, Google started showing ads in follow-up questions in its AI Mode search in the U.S., labeled “Sponsored.”
It’s like the church bulletin. The announcements and the funeral-home ad on the back are both useful, but you want to know which is which.
What it means for you: When you ask Google’s AI a question and keep asking, some answers may now include ads. The simple habit: look for the word “Sponsored.” For local businesses, this is an early sign that being “plugged in” to AI helpers will matter, the way being in the phone book once did.
🔦 Is AI Recommending Your Business? A New Tool Checks
A company called Change Agents launched Beacon, a service for small businesses. The company says its AI asks about 100 common customer questions across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Grok and Claude, then reports whether your business shows up and how you compare with competitors. The first audit is free and takes about five minutes, the company says; a full monthly report is $20 a month. (Features and prices are the company’s. We’re not endorsing it.)
It’s like checking the phone-book listing your granddad paid for, to make sure the number still rings at the shop.
What it means for you: You don’t need a paid service to start. Open any AI assistant and ask, “Where’s the best place in Dunlap for [what you sell]?” If you’re missing, or your hours or phone number are wrong, fix your Google business listing and your directory listings first.
📦 Chrome Can Now Fill In Your Tracking Number From Gmail
Google says Chrome’s enhanced autofill can now suggest details from your Gmail when you fill out a form online, like an order number, a tracking number or a flight or hotel booking. It’s rolling out in the U.S. on computers, Android and iPhone, but only for people using Gemini in Chrome who have turned on a setting called Personal Intelligence. Google says sensitive information stays encrypted and you can manage it, or turn it off, in Chrome’s settings.
It’s like giving a trusted neighbor a key to your mailbox. Mighty handy, as long as you’re the one who chose to hand it over.
What it means for you: No more digging through email for the tracking number to return the Christmas sweater. If that sounds good, fine. If you’d rather not, it only works if Personal Intelligence is on, and the off switch is in Chrome’s settings. Either way, it’s your choice.
🏛️ AI Gets Cheaper for the Courthouse
The federal General Services Administration, which handles government purchasing, reached a deal with Anthropic, maker of the AI called Claude: 40% off, pay only for what you use, no minimum order. For the first time, state, local and tribal governments can use the discount too. Anthropic says about 500 government organizations already use Claude. (That figure is Anthropic’s.)
It’s like the county extension agent showing up with a new tool. It can save a lot of work, as long as folks are trained on it and somebody keeps an eye on the results.
What it means for you: Small county and city offices do a lot with a few people. Tools like this might someday help answer common questions or draft meeting minutes. If your local office tries it, a fair question for any taxpayer: “What’s it used for, and who checks the work?”
🛣️ Microsoft Opened 24 Data Centers in Three Months
A day after we told you about Microsoft’s voluntary buyout offer, the company reported its latest results: sales of $92.3 billion for the quarter, up 19%, and its Azure cloud business up 48%. CEO Satya Nadella said Microsoft brought 24 new data centers online in the quarter, and finance chief Amy Hood said, “We still have demand that exceeds supply.” The company expects to spend more than $50 billion on buildings and equipment next quarter.
It’s like a new interstate exit going in down the road. The traffic is coming either way, so it pays to understand it.
What it means for you: This is why power companies like TVA keep getting calls about data centers. It’s background, not alarm. The steady local lesson stays the same: knowing how to use AI tools well is a skill employers want, and free classes at the library, Chattanooga State or UTC are a fine start.
✅ Your Front-Porch AI Checklist
- ✅ Hear a data-center rumor? Remember: TVA says no AI data center is running on its system today.
- ✅ Run a restaurant? Post one honest short video of your best plate.
- ✅ Using Google’s AI answers? “Sponsored” means ad.
- ✅ Own a business? Ask an AI assistant about your town and check your hours and phone number.
- ✅ Use Chrome? Decide whether you want Gmail autofill. The setting is yours.
- ✅ Curious about local government and AI? Ask: “Who checks the work?”
- ✅ Halloween is Sat., Oct. 31. Set your clocks back one hour Sun., Nov. 1.
- ✅ Want to learn more about data centers? Free session Sun., Nov. 1, 4 p.m., The Chattery in Chattanooga. Sign up first.
Practical rule: Before you trust a recommendation, from a person or a machine, ask who’s doing the recommending and whether anyone paid to be there.
— Dunlap.Today
📚 Plain-English AI Glossary
- Data center: A big building full of computers that run websites and AI. They use a lot of electricity.
- Megawatt: A measure of electric power. A 1,000-megawatt project would use about what Chattanooga uses on a given day, TVA says.
- Crypto mining: Computers running around the clock to earn digital money like Bitcoin.
- AI assistant: A program like ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude that answers questions in plain words.
- Sponsored: A label meaning a business paid for that spot. It’s an ad.
- Autofill: When your web browser fills in a form for you, like your address.
- Personal Intelligence: A Google setting that lets its Gemini AI use information from your Google apps, like Gmail, to help you. It’s off unless you turn it on.
- Audit: A check-up. Here, a check of whether AI helpers mention your business.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is a data center coming to Sequatchie County?
As of the evening of Oct. 28, 2026, we found no verified data-center proposal in Sequatchie, Bledsoe or Marion counties. At Wednesday’s UTC panel, TVA said it has no AI data center in service on its system today.
Will data centers raise my power bill?
TVA’s Jared Mitchum said prices are going up regardless of data centers, but “there’s no direct impact on Chattanooga rates because of data centers.” TVA also started a separate rate for data centers on Oct. 1. If you’re served by another co-op, ask them directly.
Can I use TikTok’s Must Eat in Dunlap?
Not yet. At launch it covers only New York City, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Can restaurants pay to be on TikTok’s list?
The Verge reports TikTok says restaurants can’t pay to be featured.
How do I know if a Google AI answer is an ad?
Look for the word “Sponsored.” Google says ads in its AI Mode are labeled that way.
Do I need to pay for Beacon to know if AI recommends my business?
No. Beacon says its first audit is free, and you can also just ask an AI assistant a few questions about your town yourself. Check that your hours, address and phone number are right everywhere you’re listed.
Is Chrome reading my email?
The new autofill only works for people using Gemini in Chrome who’ve turned on Personal Intelligence. Google says sensitive data is encrypted, and you can manage it or turn it off in Chrome’s settings.
Is our county using AI?
We haven’t seen any announcement from Sequatchie County about this deal. If you’re curious, ask at the courthouse or a county commission meeting.
Does Dunlap.Today use AI?
Yes, to help gather information and draft. A person reviews what’s published and is responsible for every story. If you spot a mistake, tell us and we’ll fix it.
🔗 Other Resources
- Local 3 News: UTC panel on data centers
- UTC: Data Centers Panel
- TechCrunch: TikTok’s Must Eat restaurant guide
- The Verge: TikTok takes on Yelp
- TechCrunch: Google opens Gemini and Search to more apps
- Google: Ads in AI Mode
- Change Agents: Beacon launch announcement
- Google: Chrome enhanced autofill with Gmail
- The Verge: Chrome autofill can pull info from Gmail
- GSA: Anthropic OneGov agreement
- Anthropic: Expanding our partnership with GSA
- Microsoft: First-quarter results
- CNBC: Microsoft earnings
🌄 Keep Learning, and Keep Asking “Who’s Recommending This?”
Nothing in this week’s news calls for worry. TVA laid out plain facts about data centers, and a neighbor shared real numbers. A video app started pointing folks to restaurants, Google started labeling ads in its AI answers, and a new tool reminded every business to check what AI says about them. Chrome added a handy shortcut you can take or leave. Local governments got a cheaper way to try AI, with a fair question attached. And Microsoft kept building.
Pick one small thing this week, maybe asking an AI assistant about your favorite Dunlap business to see what it says, and save the rest for another evening. The more you learn, the easier it is to use the new tools on your own terms. We’ll keep watching what matters for the Sequatchie Valley so you don’t have to. Read Dunlap.Today and sign up for our newsletter for plain-English news from right here at home.
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