<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/data-centre-chaos-we-need-to-learn-the-lessons-from-past-gold-rushes/>
"There is a ‘gold rush’ reflected in the chaos of the rollout of large and
mega-data centres.
We are watching governments scramble to juggle the capture of potential new
investment against community and environmental concerns and worries about loss
of jobs.
The electricity industry is scrambling as data centres choose sites where the
electricity grid was never designed for such large demand. Data centre
businesses respond by proposing to buy lots of diesel and gas generators.
Horror stories about impacts of astounding levels of electricity and water use,
and social impacts, abound. Some may be correct. But the eventual outcome will
be very different from what many fear or predict.
The International Energy Agency’s major 2025 report reminds us that a rapid
rate of innovation and efficiency improvement is occurring and Artificial
Intelligence, used well, can drive significant multiple benefits for economic
productivity, energy, environment, business and society.
But, like most technologies, this will also cause pain.
Some of this can be avoided by effective and creative governments, strong
community action and a positive ‘win-win-win’ focused business culture that
competently focuses on social license to operate and positive reputation. None
of these happen without conscious effort and some conflict.
This situation has reminded me that we should be learning more from past ‘gold
rushes’."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
