Jeff Bezos, the billionaire behind Amazon and Blue Origin, envisions a future where millions of people inhabit space within the next couple of decades. Speaking at Italian Tech Week in Turin, he shared his aspirations for outer space habitats, bolstered by advancements in robotics and data centers. “It’s hard to know exactly when—it’s 10 plus years, but I bet it’s not more than 20 years—we’re going to start building these giant gigawatt data centers in space,” Bezos stated, projecting confidence in the timeline.
During his conversation with John Elkann, chairman of Ferrari and Stellantis, Bezos emphasized that space pioneers will mainly venture into space “because they want to.” His perspective highlights a fundamental aspect of the human experience: the desire for exploration and adventure. Bezos asserted a belief that robots will ultimately be more cost-effective and capable for tasks in space. In his words, “robots will be more capable and cost-effective than working in space.”
Bezos’s predictions include the construction of solar-powered AI data centers in space. He described these centers as advantageous due to the continual availability of solar power, which he noted was unhindered by weather conditions. “The solar power there, there are no clouds, no rain, no weather,” Bezos explained, showcasing a vision where space could solve pressing energy demands on Earth. He claimed that natural cooling in the vacuum of space would eliminate the need for traditional, water-intensive cooling systems.
Bezos’s experience with Blue Origin, founded in 2000, grounds his assertions. His ambitions diverge from those of other space entrepreneurs, particularly Elon Musk, who has long focused on the colonization of Mars. While Musk aims to establish a self-sustaining city on the red planet with a projected population of a million by 2050, Bezos supports Earth-orbiting structures that can mimic Earth-like gravity through rotation. “We will be able to beat the cost of terrestrial data centers in space in the next couple of decades,” he emphasized, reinforcing his belief in the viability of his plans.
He articulated that this shift to space habitation is not merely a futuristic dream but an imminent reality, driven by technological advancements that continue to unfold at a rapid pace. Bezos pointed to the trajectory toward building data centers and advancing other forms of manufacturing in space as the next logical steps following the success already achieved with satellites.
His remarks carry a tone of optimism. He concluded his appearance with a hopeful assertion: “There has never been a better time to be excited about the future.” This vision encapsulates not just the potential for technological grandeur, but also the opportunity for humanity to extend its reach beyond Earth.
"*" indicates required fields
