Avoiding盲目 Following Trends in the Construction of Smart Computing Centers
3 April 2025 · Uncategorized ·
Source: · https://www.cnr.cn/tech/techxp/20241016/t20241016_526941441.shtml
Since the emergence of ChatGPT, it has triggered a new wave of artificial intelligence enthusiasm in China. This has led to explosive growth in smart computing power and an acceleration in the construction pace of intelligent computing centers across various regions. Reports indicate that over 250 such centers are currently under development or already operational nationwide, located not only in economically developed cities with strong AI industry foundations like Beijing, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Hangzhou but also some fourth- and fifth-tier cities.
As an important underlying infrastructure for the artificial intelligence sector, smart computing centers undoubtedly play a positive role in promoting local economic transformation. However, amidst this fervor, regions should remain calm and avoid blindly following trends or rushing into projects without proper planning ('big push' mentality).
It is essential to consider whether a region has suitable conditions for developing computational power industries by taking factors such as its own needs, water and electricity resource supply, carbon emission indicators, network latency and bandwidth, climate environment, disaster recovery backup capabilities, market prospects of the local computing industry into account.
The construction of smart computing centers requires substantial financial investment with uncertain returns. Given that intelligent computation technology updates rapidly, a typical lifecycle for such facilities is only 5 to 10 years; without robust technological reserves and upgrade capacity, they may face continuous investments but fail to keep up with technical advancements. Additionally, the operation management of these centers relies on professional technicians and efficient managerial teams—otherwise, their intended functions might not be realized or even lead to equipment idleness and resource wastage.
Therefore, whether a smart computing center should be built, if it can be constructed at all, when construction is appropriate, where such facilities are located—all require scientific and cautious decision-making. It's crucial that regions do not act impulsively in pursuit of trends but instead base their decisions on clear market demands with sustainable prospects—tailoring projects to local conditions according to needs while moderately staying ahead.
The primary purpose of building smart computing centers is serving regional economic development, which means focusing on leveraging the unique characteristics and industrial advantages of each region. For instance, areas rich in manufacturing can establish intelligent computation facilities oriented towards industry intelligence; regions with abundant agricultural resources could build data analysis centers for agriculture.
Enhancing cooperation and sharing to create an open, collaborative, win-win smart computing ecosystem is also crucial for improving utilization efficiency. In this regard, local governments should strengthen collaboration with enterprises, universities, research institutions, etc., jointly building and operating these facilities to better achieve cost reduction and efficiency enhancement. At the same time, they can reinforce resource sharing and coordinated development among neighboring regions' intelligent computation centers to prevent redundant construction and waste of resources.
In summary, for high-investment projects that are intellectually intensive like smart computing center constructions, all areas should conduct comprehensive assessments based on thorough research considering costs, benefits, potential risks. Relevant departments also need to strengthen the evaluation system building and industry supervision efforts concerning these facilities to avoid blind investments leading to resource wastage, ensuring healthy and orderly development of intelligent computation industries (Zhang Yunquan).
As an important underlying infrastructure for the artificial intelligence sector, smart computing centers undoubtedly play a positive role in promoting local economic transformation. However, amidst this fervor, regions should remain calm and avoid blindly following trends or rushing into projects without proper planning ('big push' mentality).
It is essential to consider whether a region has suitable conditions for developing computational power industries by taking factors such as its own needs, water and electricity resource supply, carbon emission indicators, network latency and bandwidth, climate environment, disaster recovery backup capabilities, market prospects of the local computing industry into account.
The construction of smart computing centers requires substantial financial investment with uncertain returns. Given that intelligent computation technology updates rapidly, a typical lifecycle for such facilities is only 5 to 10 years; without robust technological reserves and upgrade capacity, they may face continuous investments but fail to keep up with technical advancements. Additionally, the operation management of these centers relies on professional technicians and efficient managerial teams—otherwise, their intended functions might not be realized or even lead to equipment idleness and resource wastage.
Therefore, whether a smart computing center should be built, if it can be constructed at all, when construction is appropriate, where such facilities are located—all require scientific and cautious decision-making. It's crucial that regions do not act impulsively in pursuit of trends but instead base their decisions on clear market demands with sustainable prospects—tailoring projects to local conditions according to needs while moderately staying ahead.
The primary purpose of building smart computing centers is serving regional economic development, which means focusing on leveraging the unique characteristics and industrial advantages of each region. For instance, areas rich in manufacturing can establish intelligent computation facilities oriented towards industry intelligence; regions with abundant agricultural resources could build data analysis centers for agriculture.
Enhancing cooperation and sharing to create an open, collaborative, win-win smart computing ecosystem is also crucial for improving utilization efficiency. In this regard, local governments should strengthen collaboration with enterprises, universities, research institutions, etc., jointly building and operating these facilities to better achieve cost reduction and efficiency enhancement. At the same time, they can reinforce resource sharing and coordinated development among neighboring regions' intelligent computation centers to prevent redundant construction and waste of resources.
In summary, for high-investment projects that are intellectually intensive like smart computing center constructions, all areas should conduct comprehensive assessments based on thorough research considering costs, benefits, potential risks. Relevant departments also need to strengthen the evaluation system building and industry supervision efforts concerning these facilities to avoid blind investments leading to resource wastage, ensuring healthy and orderly development of intelligent computation industries (Zhang Yunquan).