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The Hindu
11 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Google agrees to curb power use for AI data centres to ease strain on U.S. grid when demand surges
Google has signed agreements with two U.S. electric utilities to reduce its AI data centre power consumption during times of surging demand on the grid, the company said on Monday, as energy-intensive AI use outpaces power supplies. Utilities in the country have been inundated with requests for electricity for Big Tech's AI data centres, with demand eclipsing total available power supplies in some areas. That power crunch has led to concerns about spiking bills for everyday homes and business and blackouts. It has also complicated the technology industry's expansion of AI, which requires massive amounts of electricity, fast. Google's agreements with Indiana Michigan Power and Tennessee Power Authority would involve scaling back power use at the technology giant's data centres when called upon by the electric utilities to free up space on the grid. They are the first formal agreements by Google in demand-response programmes with utilities to temporarily curtail its machine learning workloads, a subset of artificial intelligence. "It allows large electricity loads like data centers to be interconnected more quickly, helps reduce the need to build new transmission and power plants, and helps grid operators more effectively and efficiently manage power grids," Google said in a blog post. Demand-response programmes have typically been used by other energy-intensive industries like heavy manufacturing or cryptocurrency mining. In exchange, the businesses generally receive payments or reduced power bills. The programmes involving AI activity in data centres is generally new, and details of the commercial arrangements between Google and the utilities were not clear. While demand-response agreements apply only to a small portion of demand on the grid, the arrangements might become more common as U.S. electricity supply tightens.
The Hindu
11 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Tesla approves $29 billion in shares to Elon Musk as court case rumbles on
Tesla announced an "interim" compensation award worth about $29 billion for Elon Musk on Monday, asserting the need to retain the controversial CEO at a moment of fierce competition for top talent. The electric vehicle maker said in a statement it will award a distribution of 96 million Tesla shares to Musk as it "intends to compensate its CEO for his future services commensurate with his contributions to our company and shareholders." The award comes as Tesla challenges a Delaware court ruling that struck down a 2018 package of about $55.8 billion. With that appeal dragging out, Monday's announcement marks an interim step while the company develops a "longer-term CEO compensation strategy," Tesla said in a letter to shareholders. "We have recommended this award as a first step, 'good faith' payment," said the letter. "Retaining Elon is more important than ever before." The move comes amid a fierce battle for top engineering talent as companies like Google and Meta compete for leadership on artificial intelligence. The Tesla letter, signed by Tesla board members Robyn Denholm and Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, described Musk as a "magnet for hiring and retaining talent at Tesla," noting that Tesla is transitioning from its electric vehicle focus "to grow towards becoming a leader in AI, robotics and related services." Musk is viewed within the business world as a unique talent after his success with building Tesla and SpaceX into major global companies. But his stewardship at Tesla has come under scrutiny in the last year as car sales and profits have tumbled. This trend has been partly due to Musk's support for far-right political causes, but also is related to a sluggish rollout of new auto models after the polarising Cybertruck sold poorly. In a July 23 Tesla earnings call, Musk warned of more potentially "rough" quarters ahead before the company's robotics and AI ventures pay off. On the call, Musk reiterated his concern about the current framework in which he holds about 13% of Tesla shares prior to Monday's award. "As I've mentioned before, I think my control over Tesla should be enough to ensure that it goes in a good direction, but not so much control that I can't be thrown out if I go crazy," Musk said. Tesla's statement did not explicitly mention Musk's foray into politics, which has sparked consumer boycotts and vandalism. But the letter by Denholm and Wilson-Thompson alluded to concerns that Musk's attention had drifted from the company, calling the interim package a step towards "keeping Elon's energies focused on Tesla." The massive pay package comes eight months after the judge in a Delaware court rejected Musk's even larger compensation at Tesla, denying an attempt to restore the pay deal through a shareholder vote. Musk would be required to forfeit the new compensation package should the appeals court rule in his favor and grant him the full 2018 compensation, which at the time was valued at $55.8 billion. The new payout is sure to fuel concerns about the compensation for Musk, already the world's richest man, and whether the Tesla board is placing a sufficient check on the company's chief executive. Tesla shares rose 2.4% Monday in early trading.
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
Google agrees to curb power use for AI data centers to ease strain on US grid when demand surges
By Laila Kearney NEW YORK: Google has signed agreements with two U.S. electric utilities to reduce its AI data center power consumption during times of surging demand on the grid, the company said on Monday, as energy-intensive AI use outpaces power supplies. Utilities in the country have been inundated with requests for electricity for Big Tech's AI data centers , with demand eclipsing total available power supplies in some areas. That power crunch has led to concerns about spiking bills for everyday homes and business and blackouts. It has also complicated the technology industry's expansion of AI, which requires massive amounts of electricity - fast. Google's agreements with Indiana Michigan Power and Tennessee Power Authority would involve scaling back power use at the technology giant's data centers when called upon by the electric utilities to free up space on the grid. They are the first formal agreements by Google in demand-response programs with utilities to temporarily curtail its machine learning workloads, a subset of artificial intelligence. "It allows large electricity loads like data centers to be interconnected more quickly, helps reduce the need to build new transmission and power plants, and helps grid operators more effectively and efficiently manage power grids," Google said in a blog post. Demand-response programs have typically been used by other energy-intensive industries like heavy manufacturing or cryptocurrency mining. In exchange, the businesses generally receive payments or reduced power bills. The programs involving AI activity in data centers is generally new, and details of the commercial arrangements between Google and the utilities were not clear. While demand-response agreements apply only to a small portion of demand on the grid, the arrangements might become more common as U.S. electricity supply tightens.
