China shifts AI computing to remote regions as demand for data centres continues to soar
AgenciesIn China’s hilly Guizhou province, a cluster of European-style buildings complete with clock tower and multi-arched bridge emits a low, permanent hum a clue to its unexpect...
In China's rural Guizhou province, a growing cluster of European-style data centers is emerging as the country's largest AI computing hub. Dozens of these facilities have been constructed in recent years as part of a government strategy to establish digital infrastructure for AI development in China's less populated western regions.
The construction of these data centers, which are situated in areas with cooler climates and abundant renewable energy sources, is driven by the need to power energy-intensive AI processing while meeting China's goal of sourcing 80 percent of data center power from renewable sources by the end of the decade. The government's strategy, dubbed "Eastern Data Western Computing," aims to leverage the unique geography of western China to address the growing demand for AI computing capacity.
While the construction of these data centers has brought some economic benefits to the surrounding communities, such as increased trade and job opportunities, researchers question whether the overall economic gains are significant. Despite the enthusiasm of local residents, some experts argue that data centers may not create substantial spillover effects on local jobs or income growth.
Nonetheless, the demand for data processing capacity is expected to continue, as countries around the world race to establish their technological supremacy in the AI era.
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