Data Centers in Space - with Nicholas Thompson and Ariel Ekblaw
From The Most Interesting Thing in AI by Atlantic Re:think
April 22, 2026 · 40 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the concept of building data centers in space with insights from space architect Ariel Ekblaw.
AI needs data centers, and those data centers need energy and cooling. Recently, one proposal has captured the popular imagination: put data centers in space, where there’s ample solar energy and naturally cool surroundings. But things aren’t quite that simple, says space architect Ariel Ekblaw of the Aurelia Institute. On this episode of The Most Interesting Thing in AI, Ekblaw talks with The Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson about the possibilities for building structures in space, the innovative designs coming out of the Aurelia Institute, and why data centers in space are a good idea… for certain billionaires. Produced in collaboration with PwC. (00:00) Introduction (02:22) What is a space architect? (04:45) How does someone become a space architect? (07:39) How do "space Magna-Tiles" work? (11:00) Why build in space? (12:45) Will we have chatbots in space? (15:00) How space will change robotics (16:56) Why would anyone want to live in space? (19:55) Will we actually go to space soon? (20:49) Artificial gravity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Nicholas Thompson
Guest: Ariel Ekblaw
Topics covered
- data centers
- space architecture
- solar energy
- cooling technology
- robotics
- artificial gravity
Keywords
- data centers
- space
- energy
- cooling
- Ariel Ekblaw
- Nicholas Thompson
- robotics
- artificial gravity
Sponsors
PwC
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Aurelia Institute
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