Amazon Teams Up with AI to Tackle Carbon Emissions in Data Centers
By Jeffrey Dastin
Amazon.com Inc (AMZN) is taking a bold step toward sustainability by piloting a groundbreaking carbon-removal material for its data centers. These facilities, which are critical for powering artificial intelligence (AI) systems, are also significant contributors to carbon emissions. The innovative material, designed by AI itself, could be a game-changer in reducing the environmental impact of data centers, according to Orbital Materials, the startup behind the project.
AI Designs a Carbon-Filtering “Sponge”
In a fascinating twist, the very technology that contributes to the problem—AI—has been employed to create the solution. Orbital Materials, a startup with operations in Princeton, New Jersey, and London, developed the carbon-filtering substance using AI. Jonathan Godwin, the company’s Chief Executive, described the material as “a sponge at the atomic level.”
“Each cavity in that sponge has a specific size opening that interacts well with CO2, that doesn’t interact with other things,” Godwin explained in an interview with Reuters. This precision design allows the material to effectively capture carbon dioxide while ignoring other substances, making it highly efficient.
Cost-Effective and Environmentally Friendly
One of the most appealing aspects of this new material is its cost-effectiveness. According to Godwin, the material adds up to an estimated 10% of the hourly charge to rent a GPU chip for training powerful AI systems. This is a fraction of the cost of traditional carbon offsets, making it an attractive option for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint without breaking the bank.
However, the need for such innovations is becoming increasingly urgent. Data centers, which are the backbone of AI development, require massive amounts of energy to operate and significant quantities of water to stay cool. This poses a significant challenge for companies like Amazon, which has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Amazon’s Commitment to Sustainability
Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud-computing arm of Amazon and the world’s largest provider in this sector by revenue, is leading the charge. AWS plans to pilot the new carbon-removal material in one of its data centers starting in 2025. This initiative is part of a three-year partnership with Orbital Materials, which also includes the use of AWS technology by Orbital and the availability of Orbital’s open-source AI to AWS customers.
Howard Gefen, General Manager of AWS Energy & Utilities, expressed optimism about the partnership. “The partnership would encourage sustainable innovation,” he said in a statement. While the financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, the collaboration underscores Amazon’s commitment to addressing the environmental challenges posed by its operations.
Orbital Materials: A Startup with Big Ambitions
Orbital Materials is a relatively young company, having set up a lab about a year ago to synthesize substances simulated by its AI. The startup aims to expand its collaboration with AWS to develop additional AI-generated materials that could address other pressing issues, such as water usage and chip cooling in data centers.
The company was co-founded by Jonathan Godwin, who previously led materials science work for Alphabet’s DeepMind until 2022. Backed by investors like Radical Ventures and Nvidia’s venture arm, Orbital Materials is a 20-person team with a mission to revolutionize materials science through AI.
Looking Ahead
The pilot project with Amazon is just the beginning. Orbital Materials and AWS are exploring the potential of AI-designed materials to tackle a range of environmental challenges. If successful, this partnership could set a new standard for sustainability in the tech industry, demonstrating how AI can be harnessed not just to power innovation but also to protect the planet.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon is piloting a new carbon-removal material in its data centers, designed by AI from Orbital Materials.
- The material acts like a “sponge at the atomic level,” capturing CO2 efficiently and cost-effectively.
- The initiative is part of Amazon’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
- Orbital Materials, a startup backed by Radical Ventures and Nvidia, aims to develop more AI-generated materials to address environmental challenges.
- The pilot project is set to begin in 2025 as part of a three-year partnership between AWS and Orbital Materials.
As the tech industry grapples with its environmental impact, partnerships like this one between Amazon and Orbital Materials offer a glimpse of a more sustainable future. By leveraging the power of AI, companies can not only innovate but also lead the way in combating climate change.
Originally Written by: Jeffrey Dastin
