• James R Kirk@startrek.website
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 day ago

    Data centers and power generation are IRL investments that are needed whether it’s for AI use or not.

    Well said, and I think a good comparison (and something Doctorow has brought up before) is that the dot-com bubble built a ton of infrastructure and fiber networks that were later able to be utilized. He sort of touched on this when he said “Plan for a future where you can buy GPUs for ten cents on the dollar”.

    That all said, as Ed Zitron is oft to highlight, something like 30% of the value of the SNP 500 is in “AI” right now. Even a relatively small pop could lead to more widespread repercussions.

    • hansolo@lemmy.today
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 day ago

      Yeah, I’ve heard more in depth analysis of phased GPU use plans for up to 3-5 years of life that account for all this. I think planning for GPUs for cents on the dollar is planning to own a dollar store after 3-5 regular supermarkets have run their course in a neighborhood for 20+ years. It’s not a way to reasonably look at this.