Data Centers
They seem to be the hot topic of late with a multitude of posts appearing on Facebook about them daily. Almost 100% are opposed to data centers and it seems a lot of the posters don’t really have a clue what a data center really is. So let’s start with defining them.
Data centers fall in one of two categories: 1)IT – Information Technology and 2) AI – Artificial Intelligence.
Let’s talk about the IT data centers first as I know a bit more about them. I would prefer to call them Information Storage and Processing Centers. For over thirty years I worked for/at a number of ISPCs and these places have been around since the 1930s. With invention of semiconductors computers became more available to businesses where information could be digitized and processed. Initially applications were created that could do tasks such as payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, process order, keep inventories of goods for sale. As time has gone on the computers have become more powerful and faster. Also the methods of storing data have gone well beyond the punched card to technology that can store millions, billions, and even trillion pieces of data.
With todays communication technology almost all this data can be accessed from anywhere in the world. You have a PC, Ipad, laptop, even a cell phone with the proper credentials you can access this information.
Who has and uses these IT data centers? Banks, insurance companies, any company in manufacturing, companies offering online shopping, grocery stores, and on and on. Without data processing they could not exist in today’s environment. And without these data centers you could not, for example, use your digital device to check your bank account balances, pay your bills from the comfort of your couch, or even use your cell phone to deposit a check.
Also there are places where information about our history, our culture is stored/achieved and can be accessed by you and me, historians, researchers, etc. The Library of Congress has literally millions books and documents that can be accessed. The National Archives keeps the records of anyone who has served for example. Need a copy of your DD214? It’s available online from National Archives and Record Administration NARA. Your SS information, Medicare, and retirement plans are all at a data center.
Why am I writing about these types of things? Well, I read many comments on FB and other sources calling for banning or getting rid of ALL data centers. Really? If you read these posts and comments you have to conclude the authors are very misinformed.
As I said at the beginning, I do not know all that much about AI in itself ,but I am trying to learn. I also know very little about AI data centers. I’ve never worked for one, nor been in one. I would certainly like to to find one where I could visit, tour, and talk to the people who work there.
As I find info about AI that I think might be useful for other, I will write about it on future posts on lousplace.me
If you have access to YouTube there are a lot of videos available to view related to AI. Here’s a link to one for a starter: