re: What is the long term benefit of these data centers?

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How exactly are these data centers a “for profit” enterprise?

Who are they receiving their funds from?

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AWS is very profitable

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How exactly are these data centers a “for profit” enterprise?

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Colocation centers lease the space. Other full service DC operators also offer technology services like running and managing the infrastructure, security or network operations, security monitoring and reporting.

While I have no doubt there are some pretty compelling answers, I think this needs to be a question constantly posed in the US over the next couple of decades.

If being the world leader in AI rather than merely a leading country and beneficiary (every developed country will be a beneficiary) means watering down western/US culture through immigration, using huge amounts of US resources and land, etc. - we should make sure the juice is worth the squeeze.

My best guess - to some extent it is, with limits. But the problem is that the debate is being framed as "there can't be limits, you're either the leader or you're not, and thus all roadblocks have to be eliminated and no cost is too high." Which is a problem in itself.

Once these data centers shut down, there will awesome venues for indoor flea markets. This is all I got.

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My best guess - to some extent it is, with limits. But the problem is that the debate is being framed as "there can't be limits, you're either the leader or you're not, and thus all roadblocks have to be eliminated and no cost is too high." Which is a problem in itself.

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Well, the biggest issues I see on the horizon are mainly resource allocation.

If the whole goal is expansion merely for that sake, electricity and cooling availability seems to the rate limiting variable.

What do I know though?

Data center

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What is a data center?
A data center is a physical location that stores computing machines and their related hardware equipment. It contains the computing infrastructure that IT systems require, such as servers, data storage drives, and network equipment. It is the physical facility that stores any company’s digital data.

Why are data centers important?
Every business needs computing equipment to run its web applications, offer services to customers, sell products, or run internal applications for accounts, human resources, and operations management. As the business grows and IT operations increase, the scale and amount of required equipment also increases exponentially. Equipment that is distributed across several branches and locations is hard to maintain. Instead, companies use data centers to bring their devices to a central location and manage it cost effectively. Instead of keeping it on premises, they can also use third-party data centers.

Data centers bring several benefits, such as:

Backup power supplies to manage power outages

Data replication across several machines for disaster recovery

Temperature-controlled facilities to extend the life of the equipment

Easier implementation of security measures for compliance with data laws

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worth whatever benefit it is to have and process so much data ?

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if it lets AI replace realtors then it's worth it

Absurd tech valuations (ex. Uber being valued at $28B years ago) are parlaying into an infrastructure arms race for AI start-up valuations. These LLMs require different types of data centers than the traditional that already exist.

From a researcher standpoint, they are chasing artificial general intelligence (AGI). AKA skynet or the matrix.

From a national standpoint, if you want to maintain a competitive edge (in security and business) over all other nations, you are pouring resources and cutting red tape to win the race.

From an investor standpoint, if you want to become a multi-billionaire (or the world's first trillionaire), you are chasing an absurd tech valuation.

From a normal person standpoint, witnessing a slowing and saturated white collar job market (with productivity gains) and increasing energy prices.

Currently, society has only gained a productivity tool and toy, while introducing seemingly more skepticism/cynicism than optimism and wonder.

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With the constant proliferation of data centers, does the price consistently increase and will there be a saturation point?

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Do you remember the Deep Seek scare in late January? This is what it revealed:

Jevons Paradox suggests that when technological advancements increase the efficiency of a resource (in this case, computational power for AI training and inference), the demand for that resource may paradoxically increase rather than decrease, as lower costs drive greater adoption and usage. This was noted in analyses suggesting that DeepSeek’s efficiency breakthroughs could lead to skyrocketing demand for AI applications, potentially offsetting the reduced need for compute per model and sustaining or even increasing investments in AI infrastructure.

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Why can't these data centers do the same?

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They likely don’t want to do that solely to offset cost.