Last week, we gathered at the Erasmus Data Collaboratory | House of AI at Erasmus University Rotterdam for our final event of the year. It was a great evening filled with insights, networking, and festive cheers!
This year, we focused on the very current discussion around AI gigafactories. The panel explored the potential and challenges of establishing AI gigafactories and how to develop them responsibly, sustainably, and strategically.
💡 Key takeaways:
Opportunity
- There was a general sense of opportunity in the room that we need to become less dependent on non-EU digital infrastructure. The Netherlands has the potential to become a European innovation leader by investing in our own AI knowledge, talent, and infrastructure in a socially responsible way, in line with our own values.
AI gigafactories
- Gigafactories require a mix of space, computing power, equipment/infrastructure, and (sustainable) electricity. Establishing a gigafactory requires collaboration and investments between (European) public and private partners. We can also use the gigafactory as a platform to stimulate European initiatives.
- Rotterdam, with its key European assets around the port, is uniquely positioned to lead collaborative AI–energy innovation. This new link to the wider European network could be a valuable addition to Rotterdam’s main port function.
- The growing need for AI calls for an understanding of how it will be used. Europe is leading in developing collaborative schemes; collaborative implementation can become a competitive edge.
Energy
- Energy system thinking and collaboration are essential to designing the future energy system.
- A distinctly European approach to AI can help ensure fair and accessible energy for all citizens and establish energy as a basic European right.
- Digital and AI-driven solutions can help lower and stabilize volatile energy prices by enabling smarter, collaborative energy networks. This also boosts competitiveness on a global scale.
- AI gigafactories can act as an important element in the future energy system by feeding excess heat that is produced back into the city’s heating system. Under the right circumstances, they can also support the grid. In addition, in Rotterdam, proximity to green energy supply could create a win-win situation, where green energy, needed to power the use of an AI gigafactory, can stimulate investment in further development of sustainable energy from offshore windfarms, which are under pressure.
Talent
- Universities should prepare the knowledge and talent to work with AI tools and to optimize AI infrastructure and its energy use.
- Recommendation for all talent from Saskia Mureau: “The Thinking Game” documentary gives a valuable perspective on AI’s impact.
Thank you to all who joined us in this open discussion. Stay tuned for the reveal of our new data & AI community photo!
