Altman Doubts Musk's Orbital Data Centers, Prefers Underwater

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has expressed doubts about orbital data centers, suggesting underwater infrastructure might be more practical. He wished Elon Musk luck with his space-based ideas but highlighted challenges with energy and infrastructure in orbit. Altman believes ocean robotics could offer a more feasible solution for deploying computing systems, even though researchers aren't focused on it yet. His comments come as Elon Musk's SpaceX explores orbital computing projects, and Google has prototyped small computing satellites. The demand for AI infrastructure is growing, leading companies to explore alternatives to traditional data centers. This includes land-based expansions by Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, alongside Musk's orbital ambitions. The AI boom is straining power grids and supply chains, driving interest in unconventional models. Investment ties between AI and aerospace are also deepening, with defense spending on AI projected to increase. This shows a broader industry discussion about the future of AI infrastructure.