TED Talks Daily

Let's build AI data centers in space | Philip Johnston

39 snips
Jan 14, 2026
Philip Johnston, a technologist and AI energy pioneer, discusses his bold vision of building data centers in space. He describes how these facilities could harness abundant solar energy and frigid temperatures, addressing the growing energy demands of AI. Johnston shares insights on the launch of the first spacecraft equipped with advanced GPUs, and the potential for future data centers to reduce resource competition on Earth, enhancing both efficiency and national security. His ambitious long-term goals even touch on the concept of a Dyson sphere!
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ANECDOTE

Starbase Visit Sparked The Idea

  • Philip Johnston recounts traveling to SpaceX's Starbase and seeing the scale of Starship production that inspired the idea.
  • That visit led him to calculate launch-cost thresholds and the vision of moving data centers to space.
INSIGHT

AI Growth Strains Earth Resources

  • Growing AI demand requires far more data centers and energy, straining water and land resources on Earth.
  • Community pushback and permitting limits already block large terrestrial data centers.
ANECDOTE

Tucson Rejected A Gigawatt Data Center

  • Philip Johnston describes meeting Tucson community leaders after the city unanimously rejected a gigawatt-scale data center.
  • Residents objected because the proposal would have strained local energy and water for generations.
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