On Tuesday, he signed an executive order aimed at providing federal support to fast-track the development of infrastructure needed to power these AI DC facilities, the White House has announced.

The order sets out a plan to lease federal land managed by the Defence and Energy departments for gigawatt-scale AI data centres and clean power projects. The goal is to meet the immense energy requirements of these facilities in a shorter timeframe.

“The order will speed up how we build the next generation of AI infrastructure right here in America,” Biden said. He added that the initiative is designed to boost economic competitiveness, strengthen national security, promote clean energy, and ensure AI safety.

One notable aspect of the order is its emphasis on American-made technology. Companies that use federal sites for AI data centres will be ordered to purchase a fair amount of US-made semiconductors. The specifics will be worked out for each project and is in line with the Biden administration’s overall aim to invest over $30 billion in domestic chip production.

The administration is also working to streamline processes for building AI infrastructure. Federal agencies have been directed to expedite the granting of permits, improve connections to the electric grid, and advance transmission development around federal sites. The measures are intended to avoid delays that could hinder the rapid deployment of essential infrastructure.

Tarun Chhabra, White House technology adviser, emphasised the urgency of the endeavour. “It’s absolutely essential to make sure the AI industry can build the infrastructure it needs for training and deploying powerful AI models right here in the US,” he told reporters.

Chhabra noted that the demand for computing power and electricity is soaring, especially as AI developers work on advanced “frontier models,” the most powerful and resource-intensive AI systems available. He estimated that by 2028, some AI data centres could require as much as five gigawatts of capacity – enough energy to power millions of homes.

The executive order also seeks to align AI development with environmental goals. Companies developing projects are urged to use sustainable energy and have minimal impact on electricity prices. The requirement reflects growing concerns about the environmental impact of AI data centres, which consume enormous amounts of energy, plus water for cooling.

In a related move, the Commerce Department has tightened restrictions on AI chip and technology exports. The goal is to keep advanced computing capabilities in the US and allied nations while limiting access for competing countries. This complements the executive order’s focus on safeguarding national security by keeping cutting-edge AI models secure and based on US soil.

Biden also gave a bigger picture of AI with regards to national security. Chhabra pointed out that AI systems being developed today already have capabilities that might be used for malicious purposes, like weapon development or cyberattacks. By securing domestic data centres, the US reduces the likelihood of adversaries gaining access to these powerful systems.

The tech industry has reacted positively to the order. Major corporations like Microsoft, BlackRock, and SoftBank have announced significant investments in US-based AI infrastructure, aligning with the administration’s ambition for domestic technological leadership.

By addressing energy demands, environmental considerations, and national security risks, Biden’s executive order lays the groundwork for a robust, secure, and sustainable AI infrastructure. It reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring that the US remains a global leader in AI development and deployment.

(Photo by Unsplash)

See also: US-China tech war escalates with new AI chips export controls

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

The post Biden’s executive order targets energy needs for AI data centres appeared first on AI News.

The facility stands out for its advanced infrastructure and focus on energy efficiency, reflecting broader efforts to meet the rising demands of AI computing sustainably.

The AI Factory is part of Firmus’s ongoing initiative to transform existing ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) into GPU-powered AI computing platforms. The redesigned centres are equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and efficient cooling systems, enabling them to meet both enterprise and research needs with improved energy performance metrics.

As artificial intelligence continues to need more power, energy efficiency has become a major issue. Firmus has addressed the issue for nearly a decade with its AI Factory platform, which combines advanced immersion cooling technology with dependable design, build, and operation services. The company states its platform has several significant advantages, including:

• Energy efficiency: 45% more FLOP per utility picoJoule than traditional data centres,
• Cost-effectiveness: Up to 30% cheaper total cost of ownership (TCO) than direct-to-chip cooling platforms,
• Scalability and sustainability: Supports high-density AI workloads while reducing environmental effects,
• Global expertise: A track record in building and operating immersion-cooled data centres in Singapore and Australia.

The deployment of the AI Factory in Singapore shows how innovative approaches to data centre infrastructure can address the energy demands of AI. The project highlights a potential pathway for sustainable AI development by achieving a pPUE of 1.02 and a reduction in energy consumption of 45%. The achievement aligns with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0, which emphasises sustainable growth in AI and data centre innovation.

Tim Rosenfield, co-CEO of Firmus Technologies, explained the broader vision behind the project, noting that it’s about balancing AI growth with sustainability. “By rethinking data centre design, we have created a platform that supports the growth of AI while promoting environmental sustainability. If we can do it in Singapore, where space is constrained and the humid climate is against us, we can do it anywhere,” he said.

Firmus has recently changed its leadership team, adding Dr. Daniel Kearney as chief technology officer. Previously AWS’s Head of Technology for the ASEAN Enterprise business, Kearney leads the engineering team at Firmus. He pointed out how sustainable AI infrastructure is becoming essential as AI technologies expand. “This win against established data centre players recognises the importance of technology like ours in meeting the growth of AI and the energy challenges it brings,” he said.

The company has been advancing its work through the Sustainable Metal Cloud (SMC), an initiative aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of AI infrastructure. Recent updates from Firmus include:

• Power efficiency benchmarks: Firmus became the first to publish comprehensive power consumption data alongside performance results for the MLPerf Training benchmark,
• Policy contributions: Insights from Tim Rosenfield contributed to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change’s policy agenda on managing the energy demands of the AI sector,
• Industry discussions: At ATxSG24, Firmus’s Chairman, Edward Pretty, joined a panel featuring organisations like NVIDIA, the World Bank, and Alibaba Cloud to explore the balance between sustainability and the computational needs of AI,
• Hypercube expansion: Firmus’s team of 700 is installing the first fleet of Sustainable AI Factories, known as HyperCubes in multiple regions.
• Engagement at NVIDIA GTC 2024: The company participated in two panels at NVIDIA’s GTC event, discussing sustainable AI infrastructure alongside partners like NVIDIA, Deloitte, and WEKA.

See also: The AI revolution: Reshaping data centres and the digital landscape 

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

The post Singapore-based Firmus wins recognition for AI data centre design appeared first on AI News.

This surge in demand comes as businesses across various sectors rapidly adopt AI-driven technologies.

Among these notable agreements is a deal with Microsoft, which revealed last month its plans to utilise Lumen’s network equipment to expand capacity for AI workloads. Lumen, known for providing secure digital connections for data centres, disclosed recently that it is engaged in active discussions with customers regarding additional sales opportunities valued at approximately $7 billion.

The widespread adoption of AI has prompted enterprises across multiple industries to invest heavily in infrastructure capable of supporting AI-powered applications. Lumen reports that major corporations are urgently seeking to secure high-capacity fibre, a resource becoming increasingly valuable, and potentially scarce due to growing AI requirements.

There is an optimistic prospect for further success, as Kate Johnson, the CEO of Lumen, expressed: “Our partners are turning to us because of our AI-ready infrastructure and expansive network. This is just the beginning of a significant opportunity for Lumen, one that will lead to one of the largest expansions of the internet ever.”

Another piece of evidence regarding the company’s strategic positioning in such a rapidly changing and highly unstable market is the creation of a new division, Custom Networks. This division will be responsible for managing the Lumen Private Connectivity Fabric solutions portfolio. At the same time, since the demand for networking is rising from various organisations seeking solutions designed to satisfy the specific needs of their target environments, it is rational to develop a new division for networks.

This highlights that telecommunications infrastructure plays a crucial role in the current AI revolution. As an increasing number of firms implement AI technologies in their operations, it is essential to have plenty of secure, expansive networks.

Lumen’s recent success in securing these substantial contracts underscores the company’s strong market position and its ability to meet the evolving needs of tech giants and cloud service providers. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, Lumen appears well-positioned to capitalise on the increasing demand for advanced networking solutions.

The telecommunications sector, and Lumen in particular, is likely to remain at the forefront of enabling AI advancements across industries. As this trend progresses, it will be interesting to observe how Lumen and its competitors adapt to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by this technological shift.

(Photo by Vladimir Solomianyi)

See also: UK backs smaller AI projects while scrapping major investments

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

The post AI expansion drives $5B in deals for Lumen appeared first on AI News.

The 33-acre site in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire will bring much-needed compute capacity to businesses, supporting AI innovation and ensuring reliable digital services for Google Cloud customers and general consumers relying on products like Search, Maps, and YouTube.

Ruth Porat, Alphabet’s president and chief financial officer, said the data centre “represents our latest investment in the UK and the wider digital economy.” She added that it builds on previous investments like Saint Giles and Kings Cross offices, a multi-year research deal with Cambridge, and the Grace Hopper subsea cable connecting the UK with the US and Spain.

Porat said the facility will “help meet growing demand for our AI and cloud services and bring crucial compute capacity to businesses across the UK while creating construction and technical jobs for the local community.”

As a pioneer in computing infrastructure, Google runs some of the most efficient data centres in the world and has committed to powering them entirely on carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030.

Last year, Google signed a deal with ENGIE for offshore wind energy from Scotland’s Moray West farm which will provide 100MW of energy and put UK operations on track for 90 percent clean energy by 2025.

The new data centre will recover heat for local homes and businesses while also deploying an air-cooling system.

Porat called the new data centre the “latest in a series of investments that support Brits and the wider economy” and evidence of its “continued commitment to the UK.” Other investments include $1 billion for its Central Saint Giles office space, developing the one million sq ft King’s Cross campus, and an Accessibility Discovery Centre spurring accessible technology.

Beyond offices, data centres, and subsea cables, Google has also provided digital skills training for over a million Brits and expanded its AI-focussed Digital Garage curriculum to capitalise on demand for the technology.  

Google’s announcement follows Microsoft confirming a £2.5 billion data centre in the UK last November after overcoming regulatory hurdles for its £55 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition.

“This is the single largest investment in its 40-year history in the country which will see Microsoft grow its UK AI infrastructure across sites in London and Cardiff and potential expansion into northern England, helping to meet the exploding demand for efficient, scalable, and sustainable AI specific compute power,” explained HM Treasury.

“Data centres process, host, and store the massive amounts of digital information that is critical for developing AI models.”

Microsoft is supplying its UK data centre with more than 20,000 advanced GPUs for machine learning and the development of new AI models.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “The UK is the tech hub of Europe with an ecosystem worth more than that of Germany and France combined – and this investment is another vote of confidence in us as a science superpower.”

(Image Credit: Google)

See also: DeepMind AlphaGeometry solves complex geometry problems

The post Google announces UK data centre to meet ‘growing demand’ for AI appeared first on AI News.

MLPerf consists of five inference benchmarks which cover the main three AI applications today: image classification, object detection, and translation.

“Industry-standard MLPerf benchmarks provide relevant performance data on widely used AI networks and help make informed AI platform buying decisions,” said Rangan Majumder, VP of Search and AI at Microsoft.

Last year, NVIDIA led all five benchmarks for both server and offline data centre scenarios with its Turing GPUs. A dozen companies participated.

23 companies participated in this year’s MLPerf but NVIDIA maintained its lead with the A100 outperforming CPUs by up to 237x in data centre inference.

For perspective, NVIDIA notes that a single NVIDIA DGX A100 system – with eight A100 GPUs – provides the same performance as nearly 1,000 dual-socket CPU servers on some AI applications.

“We’re at a tipping point as every industry seeks better ways to apply AI to offer new services and grow their business,” said Ian Buck, Vice President of Accelerated Computing at NVIDIA.

“The work we’ve done to achieve these results on MLPerf gives companies a new level of AI performance to improve our everyday lives.”

The widespread availability of NVIDIA’s AI platform through every major cloud and data centre infrastructure provider is unlocking huge potential for companies across various industries to improve their operations.

Interested in hearing industry leaders discuss subjects like this? Attend the co-located 5G Expo, IoT Tech Expo, Blockchain Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo World Series with upcoming events in Silicon Valley, London, and Amsterdam.

The post NVIDIA sets another AI inference record in MLPerf appeared first on AI News.