Meta had plans to build an AI data center in the US that relied on nuclear power – it already knew where it wanted the center to be built. According to the Financial TimesHowever, the company had to cancel its plans, because a rare species of bee was found in the area reserved for this project. The company’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly ready to close a deal with an existing operator of a nuclear power plant that will provide non-productive energy to the industry. I Times he said he told the workers at all times last week that moving forward would not be possible, because the company would face many regulatory challenges due to the availability of bees.
Zuckerberg reportedly told his staff that Meta would have the first nuclear-powered AI if the deal went through. It’s still possible if the company can find a way, but it has to move quickly because its biggest rivals are investing in nuclear, too. In September, Microsoft revealed that it intends to renovate the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant to power its AI efforts. Meanwhile, Google has partnered with startup Kairos Power to build seven nuclear reactors in the US to power its data centers by 2030. And then there’s Amazon, which announced three deals with different companies to build small reactors in mid-October.
I Times it didn’t say that Meta is looking for a new site – one that doesn’t have exotic bees living around it. One of its sources said Meta is still exploring various renewable energy deals, including nuclear, to power its future AI data centers.
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