China has launched its first underwater AI data center, a capsule containing 400 servers equipped to run AI models. 

The project began in 2023 with the deployment of the first unit near the coast of Hainan Island in the southernmost part of the country. Today, a new unit dedicated to AI computations has been added.

The cylindrical center measures 18 meters in length and 3.6 meters in diameter, and is connected to the internet via a nearby shore station to facilitate data exchange.

The capsule is designed to withstand underwater pressure like submarines and uses seawater for cooling, reducing energy consumption and providing a sustainable environmental solution. The electronic devices operate more stably in an environment free of dust and oxygen, with fewer temperature fluctuations compared to land-based facilities.

The center boasts high computing power, capable of processing 4 million high-resolution images in 30 seconds, equivalent to the power of 60,000 traditional computers. 

However, one of the major risks these submerged centers face is the vibrations caused by sea waves, and any minor malfunction requires significant cost and effort to repair.

It is worth noting that Microsoft decided last year to halt Project Natick, which aimed to build underwater data centers, after more than 10 years of testing.