The sci-fi retelling I’m not sure The Little Mermaid needed.

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Earlier this week, a ‘data capsule’ containing over 400 heavy-duty servers was installed on the seabed off Hainan Island, China. These servers connect to an underwater data center to support the nation’s expanding AI capabilities.

China Media Group claims this data center can handle 7,000 conversations per second, with computational power equivalent to that of 30,000 high-end gaming PCs, all featuring optimal liquid cooling.

Previously, similar underwater data centers have been explored by Microsoft, with one project demonstrating lower failure rates in submerged facilities compared to traditional setups.

The operating principle behind these innovations is the efficiency of natural cooling provided by sea water, posing security benefits as well. Nevertheless, the technological implications accompanying the push for enhanced AI must be scrutinized carefully.