Data centers are where companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook store their servers which contain all kinds of information and processes. Due to the sheer number of users and customers such companies have, these data centers tend to be huge which means that a lot of cooling is required to prevent the computers from overheating.
While we can't speak for other companies, as far as Google is concerned, it seems that they have decided to be "smart" about it by employing the use of AI to help manage its cooling system (versus this high school which still uses a computer from the 1980s!). The goal behind this is to help improve the efficiency of energy usage, which would also go towards reducing CO2 emissions.
It makes sense because instead of having to run cooling systems 24/7, the use of AI will help determine how much and when cooling is needed, while also maintain safe levels. According to Google, "Every five minutes, our cloud-based AI pulls a snapshot of the data centre cooling system from thousands of sensors and feeds it into our deep neural networks, which predict how different combinations of potential actions will affect future energy consumption."
"The AI system then identifies which actions will minimise the energy consumption while satisfying a robust set of safety constraints. Those actions are sent back to the data centre, where the actions are verified by the local control system and then implemented." Google's use of AI has been in place for a few months now and so far they are claiming energy savings of around 30% of average, figures that they expect will improve over time.
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