From Forbes: 2024-03-31 10:03:59

Microsoft and OpenAI are teaming up for the Stargate AI super-computer project in the U.S., costing over $115 billion and set to launch in 2028. This advanced data center aims to meet the surging demands for generative artificial intelligence far beyond traditional capabilities.

The Stargate project consists of five phases, with expenses surpassing Microsoft’s previous annual capital spending. This endeavor could be over 100 times more costly than today’s largest data centers, highlighting its scale and ambition to push AI boundaries to new heights.

Due to Stargate’s massive power needs estimated in gigawatts, Microsoft and OpenAI might have to consider nuclear energy as an alternative power source, posing security and environmental concerns. Nuclear waste management and disposal become critical issues in handling the potential increase in radioactive materials.

As the volume of nuclear waste could surge with multiple Stargate-like projects worldwide, questions arise about ethical implications and environmental impacts on a larger scale. Robust scenario planning and collaboration with scientists are essential for assessing risks and mitigating potential harm to the planet.

Despite Microsoft’s ethical reputation, legal disputes related to OpenAI’s practices, such as copyright infringement cases, underscore the need for clearer governmental policies on generative AI risks. Microsoft’s recent investment in Mistral AI provides a buffer amid mounting legal challenges surrounding OpenAI, emphasizing the importance of ethical business relationships.



Read more at Forbes: Microsoft And OpenAI Partnering On Stargate, A $100B U.S. Data Center