By Guardian staff reporter
Publication Date: 2026-04-01 21:25:00
The public face of modern computing is intangible. In everyday life we see and use generative AI, diagnostics, virtual assistants and intelligent algorithms.
But behind the scenes things look completely different. A complex infrastructure supports the hardware, networks and systems that power AI.
Justin Lin is an investment strategist at exchange traded fund (ETF) provider Global X, where he conducts research and analysis on commodities and the energy transition. “Besides the advances in AI models that are getting smarter every day,” he says, “the interesting part is the infrastructure and raw materials that underlie them.”
In particular, he says, AI data centers are changing the nature of electricity demand and increasing pressure on electrical infrastructure.
“The most immediate step many investors are considering is investing in data centers or utilities that provide the power,” says Lin. “But the bigger…
