Helium: the invisible gas that powers AI, and why it’s in short supply

About this episode

The episode discusses the critical role of helium in various technologies and the implications of its global supply shortage.

Alongside the oil and gas stranded in the strait of Hormuz is another commodity vital to today’s economy: helium. It is a critical element in all kinds of areas from MRI machines to the Large Hadron Collider, and even deep-sea diving. It is also integral to the AI boom. And this isn’t the first time its fragile global supply chain has been threatened. So why is helium so useful, and what will happen if the shortage continues? Ian Sample hears from co-host Madeleine Finlay, and from Sophia Hayes, professor of chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

People in this episode

Host: Ian Sample

Guests: Madeleine Finlay, Sophia Hayes

Topics covered

• helium
• AI
• global supply chain
• economy
• medical technology
• science

Keywords

• helium
• AI
• MRI machines
• Large Hadron Collider
• supply chain
• economy
• chemistry

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Washington University in St. Louis

Products: MRI machines, Large Hadron Collider

Places: strat of Hormuz

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