Top 3 tech, startup and sustainability stories of the week, 21st – 25th Oct, 2024

This week’s stories come from the USA, covering big tech, sustainability and startup

1-Big Tech turns to nuclear to power its energy-intensive AI ambitions

Tech giants are increasingly turning to nuclear power to meet the high energy demands of data centers that support the development and operation of advanced AI models. I saw this story at Cnbc, Microsoft and Google are among those securing nuclear energy deals in the U.S. to expand energy capacity for their data centers. Recently, Google announced an agreement to purchase power from Kairos Power, which is a specialist in small modular reactors. It is expected to be operational by 2030, with additional reactors planned by 2035.

Number 2 is Microsoft and it’s also pursuing nuclear energy, having recently partnered with Constellation to restart a dormant reactor at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, which had been inactive for five years. This site was previously the location of a major nuclear accident in 1979.

Rise of AI pushes the need for additional energy sources

The push for nuclear energy is driven by the need to support the infrastructure behind AI and cloud computing. Data centers, which host servers with specialized hardware like GPUs, consume significant amounts of energy. With the rise of AI applications such as ChatGPT, electricity consumption from data centers is projected to more than double from 460 TWh in 2022 to over 1,000 TWh by 2026, according to the International Energy Agency.

Despite the potential benefits, nuclear energy remains contentious due to concerns over environmental risks and safety issues. Critics, including Greenpeace, argue that it is costly, dangerous, and not a truly renewable energy source. However, supporters point out that nuclear power provides a nearly carbon-free, more reliable electricity source compared to renewables like solar and wind.

Rise of AI pushes the need for additional energy sources (Photo: Getty Images)

2-FCC mandates hearing aid compatibility for All U.S. smartphones

In an effort to make technology more accessible, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has introduced a new rule requiring all mobile phones to be compatible with hearing aids.

The new rule also advises phone manufacturers against using proprietary bluetooth standards, which could complicate the process of connecting to hearing aids. Instead, it sets a standard for bluetooth pairing that will make it easier for smartphones and hearing aids to connect seamlessly. Additionally, the FCC is requiring smartphone manufacturers to meet certain volume control standards, allowing users to increase the volume without distorting the sound quality. This measure will not only help people with hearing loss but also benefit those who need clearer audio at higher volumes.

24-month transition period for smartphone manufacturers

The mandate also calls for updates to smartphone labels and online product information, providing consumers with details about whether a device is hearing aid compatible, meets the new Bluetooth requirements, and maintains audio quality when the volume is adjusted. According to an FCC fact sheet, the timeline for compliance with the new rule includes a 24-month transition period for smartphone manufacturers, 30 months for nationwide service providers, and 42 months for non-nationwide providers. After these periods, non-compliant devices will no longer be sold. Until then, companies can continue to sell products that meet the older certification standards.

In June 2024, Apple introduced a new accessibility feature for the AirPods Pro 2, enabling hearing aid functionality. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration quickly approved the feature, paving the way for more accessible, over-the-counter hearing aid options.

FCC mandates hearing aid compatibility for All U.S. smartphones (Photo: Gizmodo)

3-OpenAI appoints first chief economist

OpenAI has named Aaron Chatterji as its first chief economist. Previously, Chatterji served as the chief economist at the Commerce Department during President Joe Biden’s administration and was a senior economist in the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama.

In his new role, Chatterji, who is also a professor of business and public policy at Duke University, will focus on researching the economic effects of AI, particularly how it may impact economic growth and job opportunities.

Key role at CHIPS Act

Chatterji played a key role in implementing the Biden administration’s 2022 CHIPS Act, which allocated approximately $280 billion for the advancement of computer chip manufacturing in the U.S. His expertise in this area, along with his political connections, could benefit OpenAI as it embarks on its own chip design initiatives.

Aaron Chatterji becomes OpenAI’s first chief economist

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