A new wave of data center construction is pushing into extreme northern latitudes, particularly in Scandinavia near the Arctic Circle. This expansion is primarily driven by the immense energy demands of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. These regions offer significant advantages, including abundant, often renewable, energy sources like hydroelectric and wind power, and naturally cold climates that drastically reduce the need for energy-intensive cooling systems. However, this rapid development raises concerns about its environmental impact, including strain on local power grids, increased water usage for cooling, and the transformation of small communities. The trend highlights the global tech industry’s continuous search for efficient, scalable infrastructure to support its growing computational needs, even in the planet’s most remote corners. Read the full article at: https://www.wired.com/story/ai-supremacy-data-center-expansion-arctic-circle/