AI’s overlooked storage opportunity (www.techradar.com)

The recent discussion on AI infrastructure has primarily focused on data center costs and compute requirements, overshadowing a critical opportunity in data storage. As dataset sizes for training large language models (LLMs) continue to double every eight months, organizations face a strategic decision: how to efficiently store vast amounts of data until it is ready for processing. Current methods often require datasets to remain on expensive, always-on high-performance infrastructure, which can hinder the ability to scale effectively. The solution lies in leveraging advanced tape storage technology, which has evolved beyond its traditional backup role. Modern tape systems offer significant cost advantages, with a lower cost per terabyte compared to flash and HDD storage, while also providing high throughput and energy efficiency. Moreover, tape's robust security features, including hardware encryption and immutable media, enable organizations to protect their most valuable data securely. By integrating tape into their data strategies, organizations can ensure their datasets are accessible when needed, optimizing costs and enhancing their competitive edge in the AI landscape.