Turin: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has projected that within the next 10 to 20 years, space-based data centres capable of generating gigawatt-scale power will be constructed, potentially surpassing Earth-bound facilities in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Speaking at the Italian Tech Week in Turin, Bezos highlighted the advantages of orbital data centres, including uninterrupted solar energy availability and minimal weather-related disruptions.
Bezos compared the anticipated surge in artificial intelligence to the early 2000s internet boom, emphasizing the need for scalable infrastructure to support this growth. He noted that the increasing demand for electricity and water to cool terrestrial data centres is unsustainable, making space-based solutions a viable alternative.
While acknowledging the challenges of space infrastructure, such as maintenance complexities and high launch costs, Bezos expressed confidence in the long-term feasibility and cost-effectiveness of orbital data centres. He likened this evolution to the successful deployment of satellite technologies for communication and weather forecasting, suggesting that space-based data centres could be the next step in utilizing space to enhance life on Earth.
The concept of space-based data centres is gaining traction among tech companies, driven by the escalating energy demands of AI and cloud computing. Bezos's vision underscores a potential paradigm shift in data infrastructure, aiming to harness the unique advantages of space to meet the growing digital needs of the future.