xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontier lab

Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by blactuary on Monday June 08, 2026 @08:39PM (#48454549)

Writing this:

> In comparison, SpaceX/xAI are incredible at building datacentres on time. The original Colossus 1 datacentre was built in 122 days. Musk's empire does have a huge advantage in really understanding how to plan, build and execute enormous infrastructure projects quickly

Without even mentioning that it was done illegally and the air pollution they are creating with gas turbines is wildly irresponsible

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by bobsomers on Monday June 08, 2026 @09:42PM (#48455122)

It's easy to deliver things fast when you don't care at all for the local communities or residents whose lives you ruin in the process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bP80DEAbuo (@ 4:08)

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by s08148692 on Tuesday June 09, 2026 @04:29AM (#48458280)

No it's not. That statement assumes other corps care. They don't. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. The fact that not everyone doing it is not because everyone else is not out of the goodness of their hearts

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by greensh on Tuesday June 09, 2026 @06:32AM (#48459187)

Deeper pockets mean less regulations apply to you though. You have better lawyers and lobby.

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by entropi on Tuesday June 09, 2026 @07:38AM (#48459773)

I think the point is not difficulty but rather recklessness. I don't think other large players lack the ability or the deep pockets to do the same, but they might be lacking on the recklessness department for whatever reason. That reason, whatever it may be, might be the interesting part here.

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by root_axis on Monday June 08, 2026 @11:31PM (#48455997)

Interesting that Anthropic doesn't feel that leasing an illegally powered data center is a risk to their business operations or brand.

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by egr on Tuesday June 09, 2026 @03:14AM (#48457675)

Depends on the fine print of the deal. My guess is that it is very favourable for Anthropic. SpaceX very eager for headline news before IPO.

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by Ekaros on Tuesday June 09, 2026 @03:22AM (#48457740)

I laughed at brand risk. I think every player in AI is well past the brand risk. Only posturing you see is being too dangerous. And even that is for hype not actually stopping them. Eventually they push the models out despite that. It really is weird market branding wise.

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by noelsusman on Tuesday June 09, 2026 @03:50AM (#48457976)

Just goes to show how desperate they are for compute. It's definitely a brand risk for them, but failing to keep the treadmill going is an existential risk.

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by eightysixfour on Tuesday June 09, 2026 @12:42PM (#48463494)

It definitely did brand damage for me but my alternatives are running low.

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Re:xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontie... by notyourwork on Monday June 08, 2026 @08:40PM (#48454560)

It’s easy when you skirt regulations.

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