Tech News
Back to home
Technology

The Download: AI’s energy future

Source

MIT Technology Review

Published

TL;DR

AI Generated

The article discusses AI's impact on energy consumption, highlighting how AI's growing popularity is driving up electricity demand and reshaping the grid. Despite concerns about increased energy consumption, some argue that AI could benefit the grid by enabling more efficient power systems and predicting failures. The piece also touches on the challenges of understanding AI's energy burden and Google DeepMind's efforts to enhance AI interpretability. Additionally, the article includes other tech news stories, such as Meta's suppression of research and advancements in AI technology like real-time language translation with Apple's new AirPods.

Read Full Article

Similar Articles

Inventor showcases 3D printer filament dryer that mines Bitcoins and dries filament with waste heat, capable of 6 TH/s at 140W — joins Bitcoin-mining 3D printer in hobbyist-focused miner lineup

Inventor showcases 3D printer filament dryer that mines Bitcoins and dries filament with waste heat, capable of 6 TH/s at 140W — joins Bitcoin-mining 3D printer in hobbyist-focused miner lineup

An inventor has created a filament dryer that not only dries filament for 3D printing but also mines Bitcoins, utilizing waste heat from the process. This new prototype is capable of 6 TH/s at 140W and is part of a lineup of hobbyist-focused mining devices. The filament dryer helps prevent common printing issues caused by moisture absorption and offers a proactive solution for maintaining filament quality. It is likely that this new device shares underlying technology with the inventor's previous 3D printer that also doubled as a Bitcoin miner, hinting at further scalability and innovation in this unique niche market.

Tom's Hardware•
US startup plans to build data centers inside ocean-based wind turbines, servers water cooled via chilly North Sea — each leg houses a data center, firm set to launch three-legged prototype in Norway’s North Sea this year

US startup plans to build data centers inside ocean-based wind turbines, servers water cooled via chilly North Sea — each leg houses a data center, firm set to launch three-legged prototype in Norway’s North Sea this year

A San Francisco-based startup, Aikido Technologies, plans to integrate data centers into offshore wind turbines, with a prototype set to launch in Norway's North Sea by the end of 2026. The design includes a 100-kilowatt unit combining a wind turbine with an AI server to address power and space challenges faced by AI hyperscalers. Each wind turbine can potentially house a 9- to 12-MW data center, utilizing water cooling from the North Sea to manage temperatures. While challenges like inconsistent wind power and maintenance costs exist, this innovative approach could offer a solution to current land-based data center limitations.

Tom's Hardware•
Nvidia-backed trial shows AI data centers can flexibly adjust power use in near real time, with global implications for energy consumption — suggests hyperscalers can reduce consumption as necessary, ensuring grid isn’t overloaded during peak demand

Nvidia-backed trial shows AI data centers can flexibly adjust power use in near real time, with global implications for energy consumption — suggests hyperscalers can reduce consumption as necessary, ensuring grid isn’t overloaded during peak demand

A recent U.K. study involving Nvidia and other partners demonstrated that AI data centers can dynamically adjust power consumption, potentially reducing strain on the grid during peak demand. The trial showed that hyperscalers could swiftly modify power usage, tapping into renewable energy surplus during low demand periods. While this flexibility may not align with the need for maximum power utilization by hyperscalers, it could expedite data center deployment by relieving grid pressure. If data centers and grid operators collaborate on such adaptive systems, it could optimize power usage and facilitate quicker infrastructure connectivity.

Tom's Hardware•
Enthusiast runs desktop PC off 56 AA batteries — Intel computer lasts less than 5 minutes while playing Minesweeper

Enthusiast runs desktop PC off 56 AA batteries — Intel computer lasts less than 5 minutes while playing Minesweeper

A YouTube creator experimented with running a desktop PC off 56 AA batteries, replacing the power supply with an ATX plug. Despite various attempts, including using alkaline batteries and wiring tweaks, the system only lasted a few seconds before shutting down. The creator managed to play Minesweeper for 4 minutes and 35 seconds on battery power alone but aimed to beat the game entirely on AA power. Adding a GPU allowed the PC to run for around nine seconds, showcasing advancements in battery technology. Suggestions were made to try the experiment with laptop components for lower power draws.

Tom's Hardware•

We use cookies

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our cookie policy.