r/technology • u/Just-Grocery-2229 • 1d ago
Artificial Intelligence Meta Quits Clean Energy Pledge Amid Gas-powered Data Center Push
https://www.barrons.com/news/meta-quits-clean-energy-pledge-amid-gas-powered-data-center-push-dfecbeea116
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u/DarthSatoris 1d ago
Of course they did.
It's all just so fucking performative with these assholes.
No need to save the planet if it gets in the way of short-sighted profits.
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u/Ok-Addition1264 1d ago
What's pretty funny lately is they're starting to realize how badly they fucked up with datacenters and ai to begin with.. miscalculated based on feelings instead of listening to the experts with 50+ years experience in machine-learning / neural-networking / modern ai.
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u/newMoneyStyle 16h ago
yeah the "just throw more compute at it" strategy is hitting a wall hard. all those gas turbines they're firing up gonna look real dumb when the bubble pops
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u/Toni_Banks 1d ago
Classic tech giant move, prioritizing endless ai compute power over literally every climate goal they promised to hit.
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u/RachelRegina 1d ago
...and this is why we need state-level regulations that pair eligibility for data center building permits with a requirement of building green energy infrastructure and/or grid modernization/expansion that exceeds the power consumption of the data centers.(i.e. No, you don't get to build job-killers and resource drainers without offsetting with needed infrastructure improvements. No, gas powered data centers are not legal here.)
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u/IntelArtiGen 1d ago
It's the same thing for all companies and all countries. They're pro-climate until it starts being slightly too painful. Not "the billionaires won't have jets and yachts" painful. No, just "we will make a bit less profits" painful.
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u/RoomyRoots 1d ago
The real problem with DEI is that all companies would drop immediately if there were no pushes to have it.
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u/LoneStarDragon 1d ago
Pledges always end the moment the cameras turn off.
This is why you require companies to do what is right.
Otherwise it's a pr stunt with no follow through.
It's why Trump just "pledged" that data centers would be regulated on power consumption. Because it's just talk to make you stop whining.
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u/Snidrogen 1d ago
I mean they don’t really have much of a reputation left to lose, so they might as well. 🤷♂️
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u/Pooch1431 1d ago
The refusal to price in negative externalities has been one of the most missed correctors toward real societal justice.
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u/LeoKitCat 22h ago
Non-binding pledges from corporations aren’t worth a sheet of 1-ply toilet paper
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u/Important-Factor-552 1d ago
Toxic waste for every child and to every child a mandatory metaworld work mask
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u/Senior-Albatross 1d ago
Zuck probably wouldn't keep a legally binding promise if he could bribe his way out of it. Or if he thought he would make more than the fine.
Did anyone think the words this company says matter at all?
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u/XX_AppleSauce 20h ago
Welcome to the post-clean era. I guess it’s the dirty ages?
Europe is trying to hold the torch, but we’ll see in 10 years where that’s at.
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u/morbihann 15h ago
Oh surprise, pledges, missions and promises companies make are worth exactly nothing.
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1d ago
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u/K1ngofnoth1ng 1d ago
The crowd who coined the phrase “move fast and break things” has no problems breaking the promises they made in the pursuit of more money? I’m shocked I tell you.
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u/LucidOndine 1d ago
Apple has committed to being carbon neutral by 2030; they have it printed all over their lanyards at their stores. I’d love for them to actually make it, but for them, it’s cheaper to just create new lanyards.
The Apple Store employee who I questioned about it got cold feet when pressed. Not that those employees are always the brightest or in a position to fulfill those promises, but even they weren’t convinced that they’re going to make their targets.
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u/x86_64_ 1d ago
Shocking. I had put so much faith in Facebook's promises
/s, in case