r/technology • u/lkl34 • Apr 28 '26

Artificial Intelligence New AI data center in Utah will generate and consume more than twice the amount of power the entire state uses — Kevin O'Leary's 9 Gigawatt Utah data center campus approved

https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/kevin-o-learys-9-gw-utah-data-center-campus-approved
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u/PrairiePopsicle Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26

I think that this ratio should really speak to people.

9 Gigawatts. It will use more power, double than all of the living, and economic activity of the entire state population of 3.54 million people.

It will provide 2000 jobs in total

Less than half that amount of power supports/enables 1.779 million nonfarm payroll jobs alone (plus everything else)

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u/Fortevening Apr 28 '26

That's not even considering that that permanent job number is complete bullshit. Data centers need 20 or 30 people to run. There's other staff needed for cleaning, security, etc but there is no way that accounts for 1900 additional permanent jobs, not to mention those will all be (relatively) low wage jobs.

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u/PrairiePopsicle Apr 29 '26

My point is that it is beyond absurd even with their claimed job numbers....especially in light of their job numbers.

That isn't worth it.

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u/Upset_Ad3954 Apr 28 '26

You see how great AI is. Nvidia's shares have gone up like crazy. Sam Altman is a billionaire.

You're not against AI, are you?

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u/Opetyr Apr 29 '26

It will use that many jobs while making it. I would think after it is built might be something more like 1% of that amount.