By kuow.org
Publication Date: 2026-05-06 20:02:00
At a research and development lab in Redmond, Microsoft scientists are racing to develop technologies to make their data centers greener and more efficient. During a science fair event Tuesday, they showed off everything from low-carbon steel to microfluidics technology that cools AI chips by injecting liquid into channels smaller than a human hair that resemble the veins of a leaf.
But even as Microsoft works to reduce the water and energy demand of its data centers, the company is also signing new leases for gas-powered data centers across the country. Microsoft’s race to develop ever-more powerful artificial intelligence tools has many questioning whether its AI and environmental goals are at odds.
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“ Bold goals are important,” said Alistair Speirs, head of Microsoft Azure infrastructure, in an interview with KUOW. “It’s important to set that goal, set that moonshot, and…
