AI is most definitely a race — a global one, with no defined finish line. Companies are competing for, and pouring billions into, AI investments; countries are scrambling to loosen or tighten regulations, control tech exports or finesse relationships with the hope of being dominant in this technology that is expected to shape the future (and is already re-shaping the present). And winners most definitely expect to take all. In today’s tip sheet: Japan’s SoftBank has notched one type of win, in operating the largest Nvidia Blackwell-based GPU supercluster. China continues squaring off against the U.S. in global AI influence. But does winning in AI look like dollars, data centers or … a desert? A thoughtful piece from my colleague Sean Kinney that explores the tension between human hope and human hubris in the age of AI is worth a moment of your Monday.
Kelly Hill
Executive Editor
RCRTech
AI Infrastructure Top 3
SoftBank’s AI stack goes mega: SoftBank now runs the world’s largest Nvidia Blackwell-based SuperPOD, deploying 4,000+ GPUs to power its next-gen Japanese LLMs and strengthen Japan’s AI development and infrastructure goals.
AI containment — hope and hubris: Tech CEOs are focused on using AI to make as much money as they can as quickly as possible — containment does not align with that goal.
Fuel cells for data centers: Bloom Energy, which has deployed more than 400 MW of power globally, says it will deliver fuel cell systems to power Oracle data centers within just 90 days, to support high-performance AI workloads.
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AI Today: What You Need to Know
New front in global AI wars: In the wake of a new U.S. AI policy roadmap that emphasizes AI tech exports, China wants to create a new, global AI organization that will “openly share” AI, particularly with emerging or lower-income countries.
KKR data center deal?: Investment firm KKR already holds about 14% of Singaporean data center company ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, and Bloomberg has reported that it is in talks to acquire the rest for $5 billion.
Telcos’ AI infra opportunity: An assessment from Omdia estimates that one-third of global network traffic will be AI-driven in 2025, and that telcos have a $4 billion-and-counting annual revenue opportunity in AI infrastructure and services.
AI video ready to ramp: Get ready for even more AI video content. Google is rolling out generative AI video for YouTube Shorts, plus AI-video generation capabilities in Google Photos.
Gambling on AI: A new report takes a critical look at the water and electricity impacts of data centers in Nevada, where there is a stark split between the appetite for data center development in the northern and southern parts of the state.
Stargate might be starting … small?: The Stargate project has promised global AI infrastructure to the tune of $500 billion. But deals are one thing, and actually building is another. WSJ reports on disconnects between OpenAI and Softbank.
Nvidia chips smuggled into China: Despite tightened US export controls, over $1 billion worth of Nvidia’s B200 AI chips have reached China, exposing loopholes and a gray market routed through an Anhui-based reseller.
ChatGPT confidential? Nope: Even as people turn to ChatGPT and other AI chatbots for companionship and emotional support, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warns that people shouldn’t expect privacy. Your chats can be subpoenaed.