Microsoft and OpenAI have announced plans for Stargate, a new AI super-computer data center project that will be headquartered in the U.S. and is expected to cost over $115 billion. The increasing demand for generative artificial intelligence has led to a need for more advanced AI-centric data centers that can handle complex tasks. This project is designed over five phases and is significantly more expensive than some of the largest data centers currently operating.
The power requirements for Stargate are estimated to be several gigawatts, which may necessitate the exploration of alternative power sources such as nuclear energy. This raises concerns about the security implications of using nuclear power for such a project, as nuclear waste can be radioactive and dangerous to human health for thousands of years. The U.S. nuclear industry has strict regulations for handling nuclear waste, but the volume of waste generated by Stargate could increase dramatically if similar projects are implemented globally.
The ethical implications of potentially increasing nuclear waste volume by 100-fold need to be carefully considered by Microsoft and OpenAI. Robust scenario planning and collaboration with scientists are essential to understand the risks associated with multiple Stargate-like projects operating simultaneously. Furthermore, governmental policy and legislation on generative AI risks are urgently needed to address the potential environmental and health impacts of such projects.
Microsoft, known for its ethical practices, faces challenges with its close relationship with OpenAI, as the organization has faced legal cases on copyright infringement in the U.S. and internationally. To mitigate these risks, Microsoft has invested $2.1 billion in the French start-up Mistral AI, which may provide a buffer if the relationship with OpenAI deteriorates due to legal issues. Overall, careful consideration of the environmental, ethical, and legal implications of the Stargate project and similar AI initiatives is crucial to ensure the responsible development of AI technologies.
