Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins wants data centers in space

Today, I’m talking with Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco. Cisco is one of those big companies that everyone has heard of but that most of us don’t have to interact with very much; it’s not really a consumer brand. But all of us are in some way using Cisco’s products and services every day because it makes a huge amount of networking equipment for other big companies, like telecoms and ISPs. It’s a guarantee that somewhere between me recording this and you watching, listening to, or reading it, the bits have passed through Cisco products. Without the actual routers and switches and silicon — and the software to make those things work — there’s no internet, there’s no cloud, and there’s no AI.

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That’s Cisco’s new big business, of course: building all the networking needed inside all of the data centers the AI companies are trying to build. Chuck and I spent a lot of time discussing that.

First, where should we build all these data centers? Because it’s not clear that anyone wants them around. A data center is a really unpleasant neighbor to have: It’s loud, it’s ugly, and it uses a ton of electricity, making rates for regular people go up. AI itself is polling pretty badly with Americans, and there’s now fairly robust, bipartisan opposition to new data center builds all over the country.

So I had to start by asking Chuck what feels, strangely, like one of the most urgent questions of the moment: Should we build data centers in space? Elon Musk sure seems to think the answer is yes, and he’s pushing SpaceX that way. Sam Altman — along with a whole bunch of experts who understand how cooling and radiation work in orbit — thinks we’re not there yet. So I had to ask Chuck which way he’s leaning, and I was a little surprised how quickly and emphatically he answered.

“Absolutely,” Chuck said. “We need to consider space as a viable option for data centers. The challenges are real, but the benefits are significant. Space offers a solution to the problems we face on Earth, such as cooling, energy consumption, and space constraints.”

Chuck explained that data centers in space could help address the growing demand for data storage and processing. With the rapid advancement of AI and the increasing reliance on cloud services, the need for more powerful and efficient data centers is only going to grow. However, the traditional on-ground data centers are facing limitations in terms of energy efficiency, noise pollution, and the need for vast amounts of land.

“Space offers a unique opportunity to overcome these challenges,” Chuck said. “In the vacuum of space, data centers can operate more efficiently, as there’s no need for cooling systems to deal with the heat generated by the equipment. Additionally, space-based data centers can be scaled up more easily, without the constraints of geographical boundaries or public opposition.”

However, Chuck acknowledged that there are significant technical challenges to building data centers in space. Radiation and the extreme temperatures in space can pose risks to the hardware and the data stored within. Furthermore, the cost of launching and maintaining equipment in space remains a concern.

“We’re not there yet,” Chuck admitted. “But we’re making progress. Cisco is already investing in research and development to explore the potential of space-based data centers. We believe that with the right technology and infrastructure, it’s possible to overcome these challenges and make space a viable option for data centers.”

Chuck also emphasized the importance of collaboration between private and public sectors to achieve this goal. “This is not a problem that can be solved by a single company or country,” he said. “We need to work together to develop the necessary technologies and policies to make space-based data centers a reality.”

In the meantime, Chuck reiterated Cisco’s commitment to improving the efficiency and sustainability of on-ground data centers. “We’re not ignoring the challenges we face on Earth,” he said. “We’re working to make our existing data centers more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. But space remains an exciting possibility that we can’t ignore.”

As we continue to navigate the digital age, the question of where to build our data centers will become increasingly important. With the rapid pace of technological advancement and the growing demand for data storage and processing, the need for innovative solutions like space-based data centers is only going to grow. While there are challenges to overcome, the potential benefits make it a compelling prospect for the future of data infrastructure.

In conclusion, Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco, strongly believes that data centers in space could offer a solution to the challenges faced by traditional on-ground data centers. While there are significant technical and financial hurdles to overcome, Cisco is investing in research and development to explore this possibility. The future of data infrastructure may very well lie in the stars.