SYDNEY, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Google plans to build a large artificial intelligence data centre on Australia's remote Indian Ocean outpost of Christmas Island after signing a cloud deal with the Department of Defence earlier this year, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and interviews with officials.
Plans for the data centre on the tiny island located 350 km (220 miles) south of Indonesia have not previously been reported, and many details including its projected size, cost and potential uses, remain secret.
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However, military experts say such a facility would be a valuable asset on the island, which is increasingly seen by defence officials as a critical frontline in monitoring Chinese submarine and other naval activity in the Indian Google is in advanced talks to lease land near the island's airport to construct the data hub, including a deal with a local mining company to secure its energy needs, Christmas Island Shir
e officials told Reuters and council meeting records show.
e officials told Reuters and council meeting records show.Alphabet Inc-owned Google he project was part of its work to deliver subsea cable infrastructure to boost digital resilience in Australia and the Indo-Pacific, and played down its size.
"We are not constructing 'a large artificial intelligence data centre' on Christmas Island," a Google spokeswoman said in a statement to Reuters, adding more details would be shared soon.
Planning documents show Google proposes an "additional future cable system" connecting Christmas Island to Asia.
A Christmas Island source, who declined to be named, said Google had requested a long-term energy supply deal for a 7 megawatt data centre, using diesel and renewable power. Google did not comment about its power requirements.
Australia's Department of Infrastructure confirmed Google's proposal was to establish a data centre on Christmas Island and included plans to connect the island to Darwin via a subsea cable.
"The department is in discussions with Google to ensure energy requirements for the proposed project are met without impacting supply to local residents and businesses," it said in a statement to Reuters.
As the deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi tore through Vietnam’s central coast earlier this week,FRONTLINE FOR DEFA recent tabletop war game involving the Australian, U.S. and Japanese militaries highlighted Christmas Island's role as a forward line of defence for Australia in any regional conflict, particularly its advantages for launching uncrewed weapons systems, or drones.
Bryan Clark, a former U.S. Navy strategist who ran the war games, said having a forward "command and control" node on Christmas Island would be critical in a crisis with China or another adversary.
"The data centre is partly to allow you to do the kinds of AI-enabled command and control that you need to do in the future, especially if you rely on uncrewed systems for surveillance missions and targeting missions and even engagements," Clark, now a Hudson Institute fellow, told Reuters.
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