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

(paulkedrosky.com)
337 points throw0101c | 7 comments | 18 Jul 25 19:59 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
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jonas21 ◴[18 Jul 25 21:09 UTC] No.44609857[source]▶
I don't know... 1.2% of GDP just doesn't seem that extreme to me. Certainly nowhere near "eating the economy" level compared to other transformative technologies or programs like:

- Apollo program: 4%

- Railroads: 6% (mentioned by the author)

- Covid stimulus: 27%

- WW2 defense: 40%

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zachlatta ◴[18 Jul 25 21:14 UTC] No.44609903[source]▶
We are only 2 years in! 1.2% of GDP is enormous! The fact that we can even make any of these comparisons is stunning.
replies(2): >>44610587 #>>44610608 #
1. dude250711 ◴[18 Jul 25 22:41 UTC] No.44610587[source]▶
It's hard for me to tell what is a bigger misspending of money - LLMs or Apollo... At least I have a direct access to LLMs. Not sure I would need a direct access to moon rocks though.
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2. nilamo ◴[18 Jul 25 23:04 UTC] No.44610759[source]▶
One is a footnote in history on the way to decent ML, and the other is the literal moon in the sky. Your comment must be dripping in sarcasm.
3. UncleOxidant ◴[19 Jul 25 01:42 UTC] No.44611780[source]▶
It seems quite plausible that if we hadn't done the Apollo program that we'd probably be about 10 to 20 years behind in semiconductors right now (not to mention other technologies).
replies(1): >>44611822 #
4. roenxi ◴[19 Jul 25 01:49 UTC] No.44611822[source]▶
When you say "we" I assume you are from Taiwan? Good for you people, but it isn't much of a win for US industrial policy when it pushes Taiwan to the ascendant position and seems to be locking in Asian dominance of tech manufacturing.
replies(1): >>44612563 #
5. UncleOxidant ◴[19 Jul 25 04:20 UTC] No.44612563{3}[source]▶
No, "we" as in humanity. Apollo funding gave the development of integrated circuits a boost. Sure, we would've developed integrated circuits eventually anyway but it would've taken longer to get there.
6. azan_ ◴[19 Jul 25 09:04 UTC] No.44613807[source]▶
And what would you rather spend money on?
replies(1): >>44613842 #
7. oblio ◴[19 Jul 25 09:12 UTC] No.44613842[source]▶
Probably housing.