Microsoft contemplates using nuclear energy to power AI data centers

September 27, 2023 By Awanish Kumar

(Image Credit Google)

Image credit : ThoughtCo Microsoft is contemplating nuclear energy as a viable option to power its AI data centers as it wants enough energy to operate large language models like ChatGPT. According to the reports, the company is recruiting a "principal program manager for nuclear technology" to analyze how nuclear energy can be helpful in running the data centers hosting AI models. AI models demand substantial computing power for their operations, and an analysis indicates that operating ChatGPT could incur costs as high as $700,000 per day due to extensive server expenses. The job posting implies that Microsoft views nuclear energy as a solution to address this escalating energy requirement. Reportedly, Microsoft entered into a $10 billion agreement with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. As part of this agreement, Microsoft furnished the AI startup with cloud services that empower the operation of the startup's models. [caption id="attachment_170911" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] OpenAI

Image credit : Medium[/caption] Data centers consume a substantial amount of electricity, posing a challenge for companies striving to achieve climate goals. The heightened energy demands of AI further complicate this issue, especially given AI's prominence in Microsoft's recent Surface event. To address this, Microsoft is exploring nuclear energy as a clean power source, a move with potential environmental benefits since nuclear energy doesn't produce greenhouse gas emissions. However, this choice introduces challenges related to radioactive waste management and the establishment of a uranium supply chain. The role of nuclear energy in the climate change fight remains a topic of heated debate, with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates expressing long-standing support for the technology. Also read : How To Create Free Designs from Text with Microsoft's Latest AI Tool Microsoft, an early advocate for AI's workplace applications, has invested billions in OpenAI, the company responsible for ChatGPT and the GPT models powering many of its AI tools. The growing adoption of AI and cloud services has led to increased scrutiny of data centers worldwide, including those operated by Microsoft. Known for their resource-intensive nature, especially in terms of energy and water consumption, data centers are under mounting pressure to enhance efficiency.

By Awanish Kumar

I keep abreast of the latest technological developments to bring you unfiltered information about gadgets.

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