AI in space 1

Follow up to this post

Artificial intelligence developers want new data centers asap. But local opposition is slowing everything down.

Energy is a big issue. Additional nuclear power plants of any type would help fill the energy gap, but it takes time to build up new ones. Anyway, our power grid is not as robust as it should be, so how will it handle huge new amounts of power? And since the needed increase of energy will probably come initially from fossil fuels, pollution could be a problem.

Massive amounts of cooling technology will also be required for data centers because so much heat will be generated. Will it come from local water sources like rivers or springs? Communities often don't like that idea.

Will local governments be receptive to enormous energy needs, possible local electricity rate hikes, possible pollution, and the draining of water resources if they allow a data center to be built?

So far, communities are delaying or blocking permits for the proposed building of data centers.

“Opposition is cross-partisan and geographically mixed,” the researchers wrote. “Blue and red states alike are tightening rules or rethinking incentives; legislators in places like Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota are scrutinizing subsidies, grid impacts, and local authority, often cutting across traditional party lines.”

from NBC

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AI in space 2

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

How about putting data centers where solar power is free 24 hours/day and weather doesn't interrupt, thus solving the energy problem? How about putting them where cooling is also free 24 hours/day, thus solving the cooling problem?

Yes, there is such a place, a place to put data centers where no community will object or delay, where solar energy and coldness abound. The plan is to put them far, far away--in space.

Always considering the big picture, Elon thinks about how to help human civilization survive the dangers he foresees. When asked last month whether AI in space is possible, he answers that it is inevitable:

AI & SpaceX 2

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

Data centers will be in space in a few years. Ultimately, the "lowest cost way to generate AI compute" will be where solar energy is un-impeded by atmosphere, and where the required cooling is easy and won't be an environmental disturbance.

Bringing XAI into SpaceX will put the pieces of this vision together. Starship will move massive amounts of cargo to the Moon, where a permanent human presence will perform science and manufacturing.

The Moon will be a jumping-off point for deeper space. 

"The capabilities we unlock by making space-based data centers a reality will fund and enable self-growing bases on the Moon, an entire civilization on Mars and ultimately expansion to the Universe." It's the SpaceX vision to understand the universe, and to preserve and protect the light of consciousness.

Estimates put the value of the newly larger SpaceX at about $1.25 trillion.

from SpaceX

Vibe shift 3

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

Business owners and managers don't need ill will from those who hold power. It's already challenging to produce some kind of product which people want and will pay for, while keeping expenses low.  

So big business will try to make peace with the powers that be. That includes tech companies that have leaned left politically. America has a new sheriff in town.

Google donated $1 million to the new president's inauguration in January. OpenAI donated a million. Meta donated a million. Microsoft donated a million. Apple's CEO donated a million.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledges the "vibe shift," and calls the new administration "a breath of fresh air." He says there is huge excitement in the U.S. tech industry: “Maybe we can go figure out how to get good at semiconductor fab again, get good at robotic factories, to make data centers again, get good at building new energy.” 

Their Super Bowl commercial for ChatGPT:

Nuclear now 3

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And why is nuclear power a concern for AI builders? Because artificial intelligence is being developed fast, and it's going to require much more power very soon. 

Last February the U.S. president and OpenAI announced the "Stargate" initiative, a collaboration between private companies and the government to develop artificial intelligence and the data centers that will power it. 

Running AI is energy-intensive. MIT says, "The energy resources required to power this artificial intelligence revolution are staggering . . ."

What sort of plants will supply the power? It's less likely to be coal, windmills or solar. Even relatively clean natural gas, being a fossil fuel, is considered somewhat "dirty." Both "Meta and Microsoft are working to fire up new nuclear power plants." 

More nuclear looks to be a common, clean choice (image).

from Technology Review

Stargate

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Excitement in the tech industry over the new administration may be due to a huge wave of investment and development coming for AI (artificial intelligence). The president announced it from the oval office in the company of some tech titans.

AI infrastructure (hardware and software) will require a colossal buildout of data centers . . which will require the energy industry to grow in order to supply the required electricity.  The president appointed David Sacks his new AI and Crypto Czar (photo).

 

OpenAI will take operational responsibilities, collaborating with Oracle and Nvidia. Softbank will take financial responsibilities. Stargate is the new company's name, and here is OpenAI's statement:

"All of us look forward to continuing to build and develop AI—and in particular AGI—for the benefit of all of humanity. We believe that this new step is critical on the path, and will enable creative people to figure out how to use AI to elevate humanity."