Dirk Mueller will return for the third time to provide an update on the rapidly changing world of Artificial Intelligence.

Since this time last year capabilities of AI systems have increased significantly, and some of the previous liabilities, such as halucination have been reduced, but not entirely eliinated

AI  models have advanced from merely responding to questions posed in prompts to becoming agents capable of carrying out tasks on their own.  (Agentic AI)  The ability of AI systems to take over many white-collar jobs is becoming increasingly apparent.

There have also been significant improvements in AI-enabled robots.

On the other hand, the growth of AI systems requires a substantial number of hyperscale data centers.  These data centers will consume huge amounts of electricity.  The planned large data centers will consume as much as 1 gigawatt of electricity, about as much as a large nuclear power plant produces.  They can also use billions of gallons of water for cooling.  All that energy eventually turns into heat, which must be removed.  Some of them are planning to build their own gas-fired power stations or even use diesel-powered generators, either of which will produce significant amounts of greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and noise.  Data centers are facing significant pushback wherever they are proposed.