Meta had planned to conclude an agreement with a nuclear power plant to power its brand new AI data center with carbon-free energy, as most other GAFAMs have already done. But his plans ultimately fell through due to an obstacle as unusual as it was unexpected. These are neither anti-nuclear activists nor opponents of the construction of this enormous building; according to the Financial Times, Mark Zuckerberg’s project came up against… a population of rare and protected bees.
It is common knowledge that the development and exploitation of new machine learning models that are currently flourishing require very significant computing power, and by extension, often extremely large quantities of energy. Training large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPTs is typically measured in tens of gigawatt hours — enough to power a few thousand homes for an entire year. A very important consideration, knowing that these systems are becoming more and more common.
Last year, a study suggested that machine learning could consume nearly 4% of global electricity in 2030. Financial Times also indicates thata text query to a system like ChatGPT consumes up to 10 times more energy than a standard Google search. It is therefore crucial to ensure that this dynamic does not contribute excessively to global warming, in a context where the latter is already spiraling out of control.
When insects play spoilsport
For this reason, but also to avoid tarnishing their public image and exposing themselves to possible sanctions, Big Tech has begun to forge close ties with the atomic industry. Google, Microsoft and Amazon, for example, have already signed hundreds of millions of dollars partnerships with nuclear power plant operators to power their AI infrastructures in the future.
Meta Count therefore had the firm intention of following suit, in a context where the company is already making considerable efforts to build an environmentally friendly image. For example, it claims to have reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 94% between 2017 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020. A more than debatable claim, as highlighted in this article from The Verge — but which clearly shows to what extent the company takes care of its communication at this level.
The next step was to be the signing of an agreement with a nuclear power plant operator, with the aim of powering a new data processing center which was to be built nearby. But the project fell through for several reasons. Sources close to the case cited by Financial Times mention in particular some regulatory concerns… but also “ the discovery of a rare species of bee near the site where the data center was to be built ».
The sources in question do not specify what species it is. Furthermore, they do not explicitly indicate whether the presence of these bees was decisive in the failure of the project or whether it was simply one factor among others. But what is certain is that it is a setback that Meta would have done without. The company relied heavily on this project; Zuckerberg notably claimed that if the deal had been concluded, Meta would have been “ the first Big Tech company to have nuclear-powered AI “. It will now have to explore other avenues to undermine the politeness of its direct competitors.
Big Tech and nuclear power in full idyll
More broadly, this nuclear race should be followed with particular attention. Big Tech now seems to see it as a crucial factor in the balance of power that will shape the AI industry over the coming years. It is therefore not excluded that some GAFAM will end up commissioning power plants 100% dedicated to their data centers.
If necessary, this would have profound implications on several levels: lobbying by Big Tech in the field of energy, allocation of massive funds for research and development in this field, international negotiations for the supply of fissile fuels… Everything a program. See you in a few years to see if we will one day see a nuclear reactor branded Google or a uranium mine under the Meta flag emerge from the ground.
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