Sustainable Data in an AI Economy
Climate change is urgent and pressing human challenge, demanding action from all parts of society. But while climate change is most a problem to be solved, the transition to a low-carbon economy also represents a commercial opportunity.” A Scandinavian government report highlighted the “high tech opportunity” as artificial intelligence and its data requirements. The report stated that “drawing on our hydropower, our advanced technology and a highly skilled workforce, we could build up domestic high-tech industry across sectors likely to be central to the low carbon economy.
Why Scandinavia?
Scandinavia with its abundance of renewable energy, proximity to dark international fiber, cool climate, secure locations and highly educated workforce provides the key elements for the development of a robust AI industry in Scandinavian. Elon Musk added Scandinavia has a tremendous structural advantage with the Fjords and being able to generate immense amounts of hydropower. That’s something that I think can be done in a way that’s aesthetically in harmony with the environment and doesn’t disrupt the local ecology. The region’s electricity production is already decarbonized and is 100% based on renewable energy, mostly hydropower.
What is the role of the AI and the consumption of data?
AI is projected to become the brains of the Internet and the engine that facilitates commerce and the global economy. Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and many governments have large AI initiatives.
What is driving AI Growth?
AI growth is being driven by a 24/7 intelligent always-on global economy. The growth of smartphones which numbers in the billions along with millions of self- driving vehicles, the consumer and industrial Internet of Things, nano-technologies, defense spending, university research, smart building and homes, entertainment and more. A recent report by Kleiner Perkins report shows data growing from 12 ZB in 2015 to 163 ZB by 2025.