u/trustmewitheauxcord

Two weeks ago, Google shut down AlphaFold, DeepMind’s AI-powered protein structure prediction tool. AlphaFold represented perhaps the most persuasive data point in favor of the narrative that AI could lead to scientific breakthroughs, including in cancer research. The model’s ability to accurately predict protein structures helped Hassabis become a Nobel laureate. A week after shuttering AlphaFold, Google removed Hassabisfrom his role directing DeepMind, using the time-worn tactic of giving Hassabis a face-saving “promotion” to a powerless role.

Something that makes this particularly infuriating is that Texas is one of the best states for clean energy.

Texas generates a shit ton of solar. A lot of it goes to companies that purchase it so they can boast about renewable energy commitments and customers can in turn feel good choosing them over other companies, and a lot of it goes to consumers. Companies with AI data centers have stopped caring about this.

Data centers traditionally got their energy from the grid, where the rest of us get our electricity from. This causes many problems for the rest of us, but the one silver lining is that in states that have renewable portfolio standards (RPS), some of it still came from renewables (though many states have been forced to adjust this requirement because renewables can’t keep up with their demand).

However, to connect to the grid, you have to wait in line. And as we all know, tech companies have the patience of a toddler.

Instead, many data centers are starting to do behind-the-meter generation, which is when you generate your own electricity (e.g. solar energy). But instead of going solar, giving gas to fossil fuels. Doing this bypasses the state’s renewable portfolio standard, which is requires utilities to get a portion of their energy from renewable energy (or in some states clean energy so as to include nuclear power, which is clean but not renewable).

So if you hear these companies talk about how a data center isn’t going to raise people’s rates because they’re generating their own power, just know you are listening to the devil speak, and that what they are doing is about to even worse than it would have been had it come from the grid (and expensive once you account for medical bills that result from living near highly pollutes areas).

"TVA" stands for the Tennessee Valley Authority, which is the largest public electric utility in the United States.