AMAZON.COM said on Tuesday (Jan 7) that its cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services (AWS), plans to invest about US$11 billion to expand its infrastructure in Georgia to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Big Tech companies are pouring billions into AI, highlighting the growing need for robust data centres and advanced infrastructure to support AI-driven innovations and cloud services.
Last week, Microsoft announced plans to invest about US$80 billion in fiscal 2025 to develop data centres for training AI models and deploying AI and cloud-based applications.
AI applications, from machine learning to generative models, require vast computing resources. This drives demand for specialised data centres that enable tech companies to link thousands of chips in clusters.
“The investments in Butts and Douglas counties are expected to create hundreds of jobs and enhance Georgia’s position as a hub for cutting-edge digital innovation,” Amazon said adding that this is expected to create “at least 550 new high-skilled jobs”.
This surge in AI and cloud computing has also driven a significant increase in US electricity consumption, as AI data centres consume vast amounts of energy.
An Electric Power Research Institute analysis in May said data centres could use up to 9 per cent of total electricity generated in the US by the end of the decade, depending on AI and tech adoption rates.
Amazon has secured multiple agreements with US utilities to supply power to its data centres nationwide, including partnerships with Talen Energy in Pennsylvania and Entergy in Mississippi. REUTERS
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