Data center news is moving fast, and it can be difficult for professionals to keep up with the latest developments. To help cut through the noise, the Data Center Knowledge News Roundup brings you the most important stories from the industry each week.
First, Microsoft is offering its Azure Government customers, including NASA, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense, access to OpenAI‘s GPT-4 model. This will allow customers to answer research questions, produce code, and summarize field reports. Microsoft has also confirmed that data collected from its Azure Government users will not be used to train AI models.
Second, the Washington Post reports that AI is making its way into workplace tools and apps to combat burnout, stress, and boost productivity and engagement. However, companies also use tracking data to excuse their own failings and make cuts and layoffs.
Third, private investment firm Bain Capital has proposed a $2.93 billion deal to take Chinese data center operator Chindata private. The proposal values each American depositary share of Chindata at $8, a premium of over 27% to its last closing price.
Fourth, new data center construction in rural Virginia is threatening significant civil-war-era locations and sites associated with the history of slavery and emancipation. The Digital Gateway project could have an adverse effect on these historical sites as it alters the previously preserved landscape.
Finally, after months of looking for a buyer, Cyxtera Technologies has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Florida-based colocation provider hopes to restructure through a pre-packaged agreement with lenders and eventually find profitability. Cyxtera saw a net loss of $355.1 million last year across its 60 locations and over 2,300 customers.
Other articles on DCK this week delve into the differences between ODM and OEM manufacturing models, the practicality of underwater data centers, and the benefits and drawbacks of colocation versus private data centers.
