Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11) AI, data centers, and power economics, with Azeem Azhar
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Feb 27, 2025 
Azeem Azhar, writer of the Exponential View newsletter, dives into the transformational impact of AI on our energy infrastructure. He discusses the massive data center buildout and the historical parallels with past infrastructure investments. Topics include the evolution of computing, the complexities of data center cooling, and the future of energy with innovations in solar and nuclear power. Azeem emphasizes the urgent need to rethink our understanding of computing and energy systems to adapt to these rapid changes.
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Azeem's First Computer
- Azeem Azhar still owns his first computer, a ZX81 with a Z80 processor from 1981.
- This anecdote highlights the rapid advancement of computing technology.
Infrastructure Investment
- Large-scale infrastructure projects, like railways and electrification, historically required substantial investment, around 6-7% of GDP.
- Overinvestment and bubbles are common in these projects due to difficulty forecasting demand.
Dot-Com Bust
- The dot-com bust is remembered for application layer failures, like Webvan.
- However, most investment was in infrastructure, enabling the modern internet and e-commerce.