To train and deploy their artificial intelligence models, tech giants, as well as laboratories like OpenAI, need a lot of energy. And in order not to pollute, many companies are turning to nuclear power to meet this demand. For example, in October, Google announced an agreement with Kairos Power to source energy from small modular reactors. As for Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta group, it would have intended to build a data center near an existing nuclear power plant in the United States.
But, according to the Financial Times, this project was abandoned because of a rare species of bee which was discovered on the site intended for construction. During a meeting with employees, the group’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, reportedly explained that the discovery of this species of bee would have made the project complicated. However, Meta would still be looking for carbon-free energy sources for the race towards artificial intelligence. And it is possible that the group will find other agreements with nuclear players.
Nuclear power inevitable?
Currently, many tech giants find themselves in a difficult position. Indeed, while they have committed to achieving carbon neutrality objectives, they are seeing their electricity needs increase because of artificial intelligence. And the solution that seems preferred to resolve this problem is nuclear power. Amazon, which has committed to achieving carbon neutrality in 2040, has for example announced a series of agreements to source nuclear energy. And, like Google, it has focused on small modular reactors.
The advantage of these small reactors is that they can be installed close to the electricity network. In addition, construction times are shorter, which allows new sources of energy to be available more quickly.
- The development and deployment of AI models requires a lot of energy and in order not to pollute, many digital players are turning to nuclear power.
- Meta reportedly had a project to build a data center right near a nuclear power plant
- But the idea was reportedly abandoned following the discovery of a rare species of bee on the site intended for construction.
- Mark Zuckerberg reportedly explained to Meta employees that this discovery would have made the project complicated
