Could AI Data Centers Be Moved to Outer Space?

Data centers are being built at a frantic pace all over the world, driven by the AI boom. These facilities consume staggering amounts of electricity. By 2028, AI servers alone may use as much energy as 22 percent of US households. Of course that demand will raise energy prices for everyone, and we’ll need more power plants, which means more global warming.

Then there’s the water problem. High-density AI chips run so hot that air cooling isn’t enough. New facilities are turning to water cooling. The technique of choice is water evaporation. It’s more effective and energy-efficient than recirculating water, but a large data center using this method consumes millions of gallons of water a day, draining local water supplies.

So it’s no surprise that more and more towns are pushing back on data center projects in their area. But if everyone goes NIMBY, it ...