Powering AI with Space Energy? Jeff Bezos Proposes Data Centers as "AI Power Plants"

Bezos stated at the Italian Tech Week that "gigawatt-class data centers will be built in space in 10 to 20 years." He mentioned that space offers 24/7 sunlight and is free from weather impacts, making it more efficient and cost-effective than on Earth. However, launching the massive solar panels, radiators, and computing equipment required for a 1GW-class facility would be necessary, with an estimated mass exceeding 10,000 tons and launch costs alone reaching several tens of billions of dollars. Challenges include heat dissipation, radiation resistance, maintenance, communication delays, regulation, data sovereignty, and debris management. Related projects include Blue Origin's commercial space station "Orbital Reef" and ESA's space solar power project "SOLARIS." On social media, opinions are divided between support for the vision and skepticism regarding technical and economic aspects, with some advocating for a gradual approach starting with small-scale demonstrations. Overall, the current assessment is that "the potential exists, but it's an all-out effort."