Escaping the Matrix: AI and Submarine Cables

We at the moment are transferring from sci-fi to actuality with the launch of many AI providers which can be poised to rework industries and reshape our each day lives.

Whereas information facilities are increasing quickly to assist AI necessities, there’s much less readability on how AI would possibly impression long-haul community infrastructure, particularly submarine cables.

That is precisely what I delved into throughout my keynote at Submarine Networks World 2024.

On this presentation, I checked out three large questions:

1. How large are AI coaching information units and fashions?

To grasp AI’s potential impression on submarine cables, we should think about the sheer measurement of coaching information and fashions.

I used to be curious to know simply how large the coaching information and fashions are by way of gigabytes, as an alternative of the extra obscure metrics used within the AI world like parameters or tokens. In spite of everything, this information is the uncooked materials that could possibly be carried across the globe on submarine cables. 

2. How will AI impression demand for submarine cable bandwidth?

Over the previous couple of years, I have been asking folks how AI would possibly form the demand of submarine cable bandwidth. I offered some outcomes of this non-scientific, faux survey within the chart under.

Even with no definitive reply to this query, it’s value digging into what components could play a task.

Two phrases: location issues.

A mannequin could require pulling coaching information from sources positioned all around the world, or it could possibly be relying purely on a knowledge set already saved domestically. Mannequin coaching and inference (utilizing an AI mannequin) may happen inside the similar metropolis, or the mannequin could also be distributed globally throughout a number of information facilities.

And that is simply the tip of the iceberg.

Elements similar to information measurement, mannequin coaching frequency, energy availability, information sovereignty legal guidelines, inference latency, and on-device inference can even affect bandwidth necessities.

3. Is there an AI-fueled bubble in new submarine cables?

Many veterans of the telecom trade will recall the submarine cable funding bubble (and subsequent meltdown) within the late Nineties/early 2000s. Is the present degree of funding just like what occurred 1 / 4 of a century in the past?

Whereas a whole lot of billions of {dollars} are flooding into GPUs, information facilities, and energy era, the funding into new cables is extra modest.

Shifting ahead

I closed with a take a look at some components to keep watch over because the AI revolution progresses. Specifically, the placement of future AI factories is essential. Will these be in areas which can be unconnected or underserved by submarine cables?

Extra Information This Method 👇

Yow will discover my full 2024 Submarine Networks World presentation over right here.

Obtain the slides. Free your thoughts.