The Cost of Compute: AI, Data Centres, Energy, and Australia's Future

<p>We sat down with Dr. Sue Keay, Director of the UNSW AI Institute, to explore the physical infrastructure underpinning the artificial intelligence boom. We break down what &quot;hyperscalers&quot;, “NeoCloud Providers” and &quot;tokens&quot; are, as well as the energy and water they require. Dr. Keay argues for the urgent need to build Australia&#39;s sovereign compute capabilities by supporting local, tax-paying providers, rather than giving away resources for a short-term sugar hit of foreign investment. The conversation highlights the stark regulatory double standard between physical AI (robotics) and unregulated non-physical AI, the impact of AI on the future of the Australian workforce, and why the country desperately needs to increase its R&amp;D spending. Finally, Dr. Keay shares how AI can be used to solve environmental issues, and what she thinks the next 10 years could look like.</p>