Can Cheaper AI Outrun the Data Center Backlash?

U.S. voters recently elected officials aiming to restrict data center expansion, sparking concerns among tech executives that computing capacity delays will increase AI server costs. While the cost of running AI has generally fallen this year, exemplified by OpenAI's GPT-6.1 Sol model, potential price hikes remain a risk. To bypass these obstacles, Nvidia is collaborating with Apollo Global Management to retrofit old telecom buildings into a network of small AI data centers across 20 states.