The Business Times
business-time-50

Big Tech’s great AI power grab

Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft are on the hunt for new energy sources

Published Tue, May 7, 2024 · 05:00 AM
    • Combined with rising demand from increasingly electrified transport, heating and parts of heavy industry, digital technology’s power needs are putting enormous strain on the businesses that generate and distribute electricity.
    • Combined with rising demand from increasingly electrified transport, heating and parts of heavy industry, digital technology’s power needs are putting enormous strain on the businesses that generate and distribute electricity. PHOTO: AFP

    BIG Tech wants more computing power. A lot more.

    According to their latest quarterly reports, Alphabet (Google’s corporate parent), Amazon and Microsoft – the world’s cloud computing giants – collectively invested US$40 billion between January and March, most of it in data centres equipped to deal with growing artificial intelligence (AI) workloads.

    Last month, Meta, which does not have a cloud business but does run a data-hungry social media empire, said its capital expenditure could reach US$40 billion this year as a result of AI-related projects. That is not far off the US$50 billion that Saudi Aramco, an oil colossus, is planning to splurge. Microsoft is likely to spend more.

    Big TechArtificial IntelligenceGreen Energy

    TRENDING NOW

    From shy teenager to outspoken philanthropist, Chloe Tong has come a long way.

    Grab CEO’s wife Chloe Tong on life with Anthony Tan and finding her purpose

    From left: Pham Nhat Quan Anh, Pham Nhat Vuong, Pham Thu Huong and Pham Nhat Minh Hoang. The couple (centre) remain senior figures in Vingroup, with their children’s presence in the ecosystem growing.

    He built the Vingroup empire. Now South-east Asia’s richest man is handing some key roles to his sons

    HDB said the listed price of S$2.18 million for the flat at 93B Telok Blangah Street 31 was “significantly higher” than comparable transactions in the area.

    HDB reviewing ‘jumbo’ flat scheme after Telok Blangah unit listed for sale at S$2.18m

    Japan becomes more valuable to Asean partners when that alliance increases Japanese capabilities without limiting its other relationships in Asia.

    What role can Japan play in Asean’s future?

    Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
    Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
    View More