The Growing Power Demands of Data Centers and AI Technologies

The article explores whether the current surge in datacenter investment driven by AI is a bubble, drawing parallels to historical infrastructure booms like railroads and fiber optics. It discusses potential outcomes, including the possibility of unused infrastructure ('dark datacenters') if AI demand falters, and highlights the potential for these investments to lead to new power generation capacity, especially in renewable energy. The piece emphasizes that while some infrastructure may become obsolete, the investments could still benefit the energy sector, particularly if they spur advancements in power generation technology.