A recent big event on Artificial Intelligence (AI) took place in New Delhi, India, under the leadership of the Prime Minister of India, which has been a big success with its stimulating effect on different segments of industry to support this Trillion Dollar Business Opportunity in probably less than a decade from now. I am sure that the entire Industry fraternity might have already thought about this state-of-the-art technology segment, which will redefine and recalibrate every scientific development which is deeply integrated with mankind.

AI technology, whether it is quicker scientific development for new product development, disruptive technologies for social, biological and city infrastructure and many other day-to-day applications, will revolutionise the way we look for solutions on time scale and accuracy.   But I am not the right person to define those areas, my interest will be to deep dive into that hardware, which is critical for the AI industry to grow and multiply and all of them will require aluminium and alumina in large quantities.

Wondering how? Let’s scrutinise what this hardware is for AI, which is about handling huge data and complex and very high-speed computation.

Aluminium is set to play a critical role in the advancement of AI by acting as a foundational, high-performance material for AI hardware infrastructure, data centres and specialised applications. Its unique combination of lightweight, high thermal conductivity and cost-efficiency makes it ideal for supporting the massive scaling of AI infrastructure.

Inspecting the use of AI in data centre and server infrastructure:

• Heat Management: AI processors (GPUs) generate immense heat. Aluminium’s superior thermal conductivity makes it the preferred material for heat sinks, cold plates and cooling systems in high-performance computing.
• Power Distribution: As data centres expand, they require massive amounts of power. Extruded aluminium busbars are replacing traditional, more expensive and heavier copper components to carry current, providing a cost-efficient alternative (up to 8-to-1 cost advantage).
• Structural Support: Aluminium provides lightweight structural support for server racks and data centre housings, facilitating the rapid construction of new, high-capacity facilities. 

Establishing the relation between high-purity alumina (HPA) and AI

• Chip Components: High-Purity Alumina (HPA) is in high demand to form the tiny insulating layers and wafers within AI chips. HPA is favoured for its chemical purity, strength and thermal stability. 
• Sapphire Glass: A form of alumina used for optical lenses, sensors and protective screens on AI-enabled IoT devices and robots, all because of its extreme durability

The demand for the above materials is expected to soar as AI moves from centralised data centres to edge devices, requiring more efficient, durable and thermally managed hardware solutions. Hence, it is an opportunity for aluminium producers, both primary and downstream players, to utilise this and contribute to this high-growth market. However, high-fidelity performance of the materials will be the need of the hour. Hence, technologists, scientists and metallurgists all have to join hands to pave a path of transformative development which will redefine human life and the most efficient utilisation of natural resources.

Also read: Energy transition and digital economy: How primary aluminium offers critical and valuable products