Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin defends anti-data center movements

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has defended opposition to large AI data centers, arguing that slower construction could give society more time to address cybersecurity and other emerging risks without seriously delaying technological progress. Summary Vitalik Buterin defended anti-data-center movements, arguing improved algorithms could reduce future demand for computing infrastructure. Buterin said slower AI expansion could give society time to address cybersecurity and biological threats. Riot Platforms announced a $28 billion Texas data center lease covering 910 megawatts of capacity. Cipher Digital reported its first high-performance-computing lease revenue as its data center business continued expanding. Texas governor-elect Gina Hinojosa proposed a moratorium on new data center approvals pending community protections. Buterin, in a November 8 post, disagreed with the strong criticism directed at anti-data-center movements during the past week. He argued that improvements in AI algorithms could eventually allow existing computing facilities to perform tasks that would otherwise require much larger centers. His comments arrive as Bitcoin mining companies, including Riot Pl...