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Explained in plain English

What's a 'data centre'?

Imagine a giant warehouse filled with thousands of powerful computers, all working together to store and process information. That's a data centre. They're the hidden engines behind the internet, cloud services, and increasingly, artificial intelligence, requiring vast amounts of electricity and often water for cooling.

Stories that explain this

Australia's AI data centre boom raises energy and water fears New York pauses new large data centres for a year over energy concerns

Related explainers

Does the UK have data centres? Could my data be less secure? Is AI bad for the planet? Will AI make my bills higher? AI's global footprint Investing in the future Will my bills go up? What's the UK's energy plan?

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