The data centre issue
1. The AI Layoff Experiment Is Backfiring – And Companies Are Quietly Rehiring Humans
No big surprise here if you understand how these models work. Many employers don’t seem to. The silver lining is employees negotiating better deals to return. The welcome back drinks must be awkward.
2. Residential Proxies Detected on White House Network
Residential proxies are hijacked devices (TV, Phone, …) on your home internet connection that are used without your knowledge to get up to no good online while looking like a normal user. Turns out there’s at least one of them inside the White House. The most heavily guarded building in the world has the same network hygiene as half the supermarkets in Europe.
3. AI Needed to Produce More Gas to Power More AI, Tech Firm Cohere Says
Canadian company planning to use AI to extract more fossil fuels so it can power more AI. So much for “AI will help solve the climate crisis”.
Article in French. In short: a French mayor has decided that subsidies to local associations will only be given if they don’t use AI, for posters or anything else. Funds must go to local artists and stakeholders. Seems like a very sane approach to me, which means it probably won’t catch on.
5. Politicians LOVE Data Centres (video)
Wonderful skit from Ireland where the population is starting to suspect “disruption” means buying politicians and trashing the electricity grid.
On rotation
This week’s soundtrack is A Time And Place by Dave Angel.
Stay suspicious,
Colin