China has developed a new underwater, cutting-edge intelligent computing center in Hainan Province's Lingshui. The data capsule with more than 400 high-performance servers was placed on the sea floor.
According to a report, the computing center has enough power to support 7,000 conversations per second with AI assistants powered by DeepSeek.
The center's computing power is equivalent to 30,000 high-end gaming computers computing simultaneously, and one second can complete the computation volume of ordinary computers for one year.
Measuring 18 meters long and 3.6 meters in diameter, the capsule connects to client data terminals via a nearby coastal station. It uses seawater as a natural coolant to optimize energy efficiency, saving land, fresh water, and electricity.
Reports also revealed that the stable environment in the deep sea provides enhanced security and stability to the facility.
The center's computing power of one second can complete the computation volume of ordinary computers for one year.
Intelligent computing centers are critical assets for AI research, training, and applications, offering powerful computational resources that are expected to accelerate AI innovation, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday, adding that the new center in Hainan will significantly enhance China's competitive edge in the global AI landscape.
On Tuesday (February 18), the data capsule was connected to an energy-efficient data processing cluster near China's southernmost Hainan island.
China's new submarine data capsule can withstand pressure under the sea, and it connects to data terminals via a shore station on nearby land while keeping the hardware away from human activity and providing a stable working environment for electronic devices free of dust and oxygen, reported SCMP.
The installation of the new unit comes as tech rivalry between China and the United States heats up, particularly with DeepSeek grabbing global attention last month with a powerful AI model it says was created at a significantly lower cost than other models, according to the Chinese publication.
Reports have revealed that multiple Chinese cities are developing their intelligent computing centers to meet the increasing demand for industry automation amid ongoing digital transformations. International Data Corp revealed 219 projects for such centers between 2022 and 2024.
By 2027, China's intelligent computing capacity will grow at a stunning annual compound rate of 33.9 percent, according to the organization's forecast. Such centers will likely support AI applications by providing computing, data, and algorithm services based on AI-driven architectures.