Addressing the energy-needs of Large AI models

Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI) is the chairman of the following fusion energy research firm and recently raised $570 million in funding: https://www.helionenergy.com/ (he personally invested $375 million).

The firm's current flagship system is called Polaris, and is being installed in Washington State: https://www.helionenergy.com/polaris/

Rumours are that business agreements have already been established to build a large facility “somewhere in the desert” based on a high level of confidence that the technology will work.

Microsoft has already agreed to purchase energy from the firm (should it be able to deliver): https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/10/23717332/microsoft-nuclear-fusion-power-plant-helion-purchase-agreement

It’s sensible to be highly skeptical about this plan succeeding, because fusion has been 'crying wolf' for decades. This plan has the aroma of a revitalised fusion hype being emitted from the established AI hype.

Still, let’s keep open minds and see what happens. The future looks very different if the company can deliver (how many times have you heard that one before?)

- by a Data Scientist who has an AI friend