The idea of space data centers may seem far-fetched. What if we installed them on lampposts?

      Nigeria has now become the location for Africa's first distributed AI data center, which will be integrated into 50,000 lamp posts.

      Conflow Power Group

      While SpaceX has its own ambitious vision for AI data centers in space and Microsoft has experimented with underwater installations, building AI data centers is costly and requires significant power. Therefore, a company from the UK plans to construct one using street lamp posts in Nigeria, having already secured a partnership to proceed.

      Based in Warwickshire, Conflow Power Group has reached an agreement with the Katsina State Government in Nigeria to implement 50,000 solar-powered smart lamp posts known as iLamps throughout the state (as reported by BBC). Each iLamp operates with a cylindrical solar panel and battery, which powers a low-energy Nvidia chip that uses only 15 watts.

      According to CPG, when these units are networked, they would provide a total of 13.75 petaOPS of combined computing power without drawing any energy from the grid. In contrast, a standard data center generally consumes around 300 megawatts of grid power, requires millions of liters of cooling water, and takes years to construct.

      What additional functions can these lamp posts perform?

      Conflow Power Group

      Each iLamp can accommodate cameras for monitoring traffic, detecting speeding vehicles, parking infringements, and seatbelt violations. There are also plans for facial recognition technology to identify wanted or missing individuals, though such implementations have not yet occurred.

      Additionally, the units can provide public WiFi and Bluetooth connections. Katsina will generate revenue from traffic fines recorded by the cameras, with CPG receiving a 20% share after three years. Revenues from leasing computing power to AI companies will be invested into a green bond designated for installation and upkeep.

      Can lamp posts actually substitute for data centers?

      Conflow Power Group

      Experts indicate that while the iLamps are not likely to replace traditional data centers for intensive AI tasks due to communication delays between the posts, they could still serve as effective access points for lighter AI activities, operating similarly to mobile phone towers.

      If current discussions across seven Nigerian states, universities, and organizations reach a conclusion, the total network may grow to over 300,000 iLamp units, establishing the largest distributed AI computing network on the continent.

      This development comes as AI infrastructure continues to put pressure on global resources, with specialists cautioning that it could exacerbate the existing e-waste crisis affecting the planet.

      Manisha is a Writer at Digital Trends, covering the latest developments in technology, science, AI, gaming, and entertainment. As a Computer...

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