TECHNOLOGY
Crypto Firms Find New Life in AI Deals
USAMon Oct 07 2024
In an unexpected twist, crypto companies are now attracting lots of attention from the deal-making world. The reason? Artificial Intelligence (AI). Bitcoin mining companies have massive data centers with plenty of power and fast internet connections, which are perfect for running complex AI operations. This makes their sites and technology very valuable right now.
Bitcoin miners need to find new ways to make money because creating new tokens has become less profitable after a recent event called the "bitcoin halving. " Some companies might be struggling financially and looking for ways out, according to experts at JPMorgan Chase.
The AI industry is growing quickly and needs more space to run its operations. Bitcoin miners have invested lots of money in their equipment and are searching for new ways to make returns on those investments. This has led to a flurry of mergers, financial deals, and partnerships between crypto companies and AI firms.
One example is the deal announced by Core Scientific, a U. S. -based bitcoin miner. They've teamed up with CoreWeave, an important provider of technology for running AI models. Core Scientific will provide 70 megawatts of computing power to support CoreWeave's operations over the next 12 years, bringing in an extra $1. 2 billion on top of their existing deal worth $3. 5 billion. By the second half of 2025, they plan to deliver a total of 270 megawatts, with an option to add another 230 megawatts at other sites.
Just last month, CoreWeave made an offer to buy Core Scientific for $1. 02 billion after their initial agreement. However, Core Scientific turned down the bid. After going through bankruptcy and returning to the public market in January, Core Scientific is now worth around $1. 8 billion.
Adam Sullivan, CEO of Core Scientific, said in a press release that "many data centers built over the last 20 years are not suitable for future computing needs. " This highlights how rapidly technology is evolving and why these changes are happening now.
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questions
If AI is so smart, why doesn't it just mine its own bitcoins?
What are the potential environmental impacts of repurposing data centers for AI operations?
Is this shift part of a larger plan by tech giants to control more data centers worldwide?
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