Solving AI's energy challenge: sustainable data centers for a competitive UK future (www.techradar.com)

The UK is facing an urgent challenge in balancing the growing energy demands of AI with its sustainability goals. Hitachi's Chief Growth Officer emphasizes the need for data centers that prioritize efficiency, affordability, and sustainability in a virtuous circle. With AI's insatiable computational needs driving a rush to expand data center capacity, the UK must adapt its energy infrastructure to avoid locking into high operational costs and carbon emissions. Innovative solutions like 800-volt direct current (VDC) power systems are emerging, which optimize energy delivery by reducing conversion losses, thus enhancing overall efficiency and lowering cooling requirements. For the AI/ML community, this shift signals a crucial movement towards sustainable practices. Partnerships among technology and infrastructure providers are essential for developing data centers that meet the increasing demands while conforming to climate goals. By leveraging the UK's offshore wind potential and promoting local leadership in establishing energy hubs, there is an opportunity to align AI advancement with national net-zero commitments. This approach not only strengthens the UK's competitive edge but also ensures that the evolution of AI technology does not come at the expense of our environmental future.