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AI capex is so big that it's affecting economic statistics

(paulkedrosky.com)
337 points throw0101c | 1 comments | 18 Jul 25 19:59 UTC | HN request time: 0.295s | source
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gazpacho ◴[18 Jul 25 20:30 UTC] No.44609473[source]▶
I just wish we forced every new data center to be built with renewables or something. The marginal cost over a conventional data center can’t be that big compared to the total cost, and these companies can afford it. Maybe it can help advance the next generation of small modular nuclear reactors or something.
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1. loeg ◴[18 Jul 25 20:51 UTC] No.44609691[source]▶
Data centers want firm power to avoid underutilizing expensive assets. Solar and wind are intermittent. New gas has a years-long lead out. 12+ hours of batteries (solar in winter) are, in fact, not free or de minimis.