Google adopts small nuclear power reactors at unprecedented scale — inks deal for seven reactors to feed AI data centers - eviltoast
  • towerful@programming.dev
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    14 days ago

    I agree, and it is possibly the only good thing to come out of AI.
    Like people asking “why do we need to go to the moon?!”.

    Fly-by-wire (ie pilot controls decoupled from physical actuators), so modern air travel.

    Integrated circuits (IE multiple transistors - and other components - in the same silicon package). Basically miniaturisation and reduction in power consumption of computers.

    GPS. The Apollo missions lead to the rocket tech/science for geosynchronous orbits require for GPS.


    This time it is commercial.
    I’d rather the power requirements were covered by non-carbon sources. However it proves the tech for future use.

    For a similar example, I have a strong dislike of Elon Musk. He has ruined the potential of Twitter and Tesla, but SpaceX has had some impressive accomplishments.

    Google are a shitty company. I wish the nuclear power went towards shutting down carbon power.
    But SOMEONE has to take the risk. I wish that someone was a government. But it’s Google. So… Kind of a win?

      • towerful@programming.dev
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        13 days ago

        I forgot what I was trying to say there.
        I think it’s along the lines of “I’d rather we didn’t need a ridiculous amount of new power, but at least it’s being covered by non-carbon sources”.