Alberta wants to build huge data centres for AI. That could bring a big emissions challenge [Video]

Earlier this month, Alberta Technology Minister Nate Glubish unveiled his ambitious plans to see $100 billion worth of artificial intelligence data centre infrastructure built in the province over the next five years.

Such data centres are integral when it comes to supporting power-hungry artificial intelligence. 

Glubish has suggested Alberta has an advantage as a destination for such projects: its deregulated electricity market means data centre operators can utilize off-grid power generation, and its cold climate comes in handy given the heat generated by such facilities.

To be sure, governments around the world have locked in on the artificial intelligence adoption race in recent years. A recent report from the RBC Climate Action Institute stated that AI-driven data centre expansion in Canada could offer significant economic benefits, enhanced data sovereignty and strengthened cybersecurity, and could boost productivity across various sectors. 

WATCH | Alberta government looks to attract data centres to the province:

Nate Glubish, Alberta’s minister of technology and innovation, has recently embarked on several …