'Godfather of AI' Backs Musk Lawsuit, Data Centers Distort Electric Grid, and 2025 Predictions From 1925

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In this episode of Discover Daily, we delve into the latest developments in the OpenAI lawsuit, where AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton has thrown his support behind Elon Musk's legal challenge. The episode explores the controversial transformation of OpenAI from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, its skyrocketing $157 billion valuation, and Microsoft's involvement in this high-stakes legal battle that could reshape the future of artificial intelligence development.

We look at the growing crisis of AI data centers' impact on the U.S. power grid, revealing how these facilities are causing severe power distortions in residential areas within 20 miles of their operations. The episode uncovers alarming findings about household appliance damage, increased fire risks, and the projected doubling of electricity demand from data centers, which could force utilities to dramatically increase power generation by up to 26% by 2028.

The episode culminates with a fascinating journey back to 1925, examining the remarkably accurate predictions of British scientist Archibald Montgomery Low about life in 2025. Known as the "Father of Radio Guidance Systems," Low correctly anticipated numerous modern technologies we take for granted today, including radio alarm clocks, personal communication devices, and renewable energy sources. His visionary work in radio guidance systems, early television technology, and unmanned aerial vehicles demonstrates how past innovations continue to influence our present technological landscape.

From Perplexity's Discover Feed:

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/godfather-of-ai-backs-musk-law-vVxGc22LT7WynuGy4NHrnw

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/data-centers-distort-electric-a163ptZAQa.wFvp85ZIG6w

https://www.perplexity.ai/page/2025-predictions-from-1925-BFLMYjH0RZ61GB4StcY3NA

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to Discover Daily by Perplexity, an
AI-generated show on tech,science and culture.
I'm Isaac.

Speaker 2 (00:09):
And I'm Sienna.
Today, we're examining 2025predictions from 100 years ago,
but first let's look at whatelse is happening across the
tech landscape.

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Our first story today involves a significant
development in the ongoing legalbattle between Elon Musk and
OpenAI.
Jeffrey Hinton, known as theGodfather of AI, has publicly
backed Musk's lawsuit againstOpenAI.
This adds considerable weightto the challenge against
OpenAI's transition from anon-profit to a for-profit

(00:41):
entity.

Speaker 2 (00:42):
Hinton's support stems from his concerns about
OpenAI's shift towards afor-profit to a for-profit
entity.
Hinton's support stems from hisconcerns about OpenAI's shift
towards a for-profit model.
He criticized OpenAI co-founder, sam Altman, stating that he
appears much less concerned withsafety than with profits.
This aligns with Hinton'sbroader apprehensions about the
potential risks of rapidlyadvancing AI technology.

Speaker 1 (01:00):
It's worth noting that Hinton believes this move
sends a very bad message to theAI community and the public.
He argues that the transitionto a for-profit structure could
compromise OpenAI's originalmission of ensuring AI benefits
humanity as a whole rather thanserving the interests of a
select few.

Speaker 2 (01:19):
The lawsuit has been unfolding over several months,
with some key developmentsshaping the legal battle
unfolding over several months,with some key developments
shaping the legal battle.
It started in November 2024,when Musk filed the initial
lawsuit, and by December itexpanded to include Microsoft,
with Musk accusing the techgiant of exerting undue
influence over OpenAI'soperations.

Speaker 1 (01:38):
What's interesting is that OpenAI has vigorously
defended itself against theseclaims, dismissing them as
baseless and overreaching.
They've even filed a motion todismiss the lawsuit, arguing
that Musk's allegations lackspecificity and factual support.

Speaker 2 (01:53):
Despite the legal challenges, openai's valuation
has skyrocketed.
In October 2024, the companyraised $6.6 billion in new
funding, nearly doubling itsvaluation to $157 billion.
This puts OpenAI in the samemarket capitalization territory
as established giants like Uber,at&t and Goldman Sachs.

(02:14):
Now let's move on to our secondstory, which highlights a
growing concern in the techworld the impact of AI-driven
data centers on the US powergrid.

Speaker 1 (02:24):
A recent study has found that the rapid expansion
of AI data centers is causingsevere power quality distortions
in nearby residential areas.
Over half of the householdsexperiencing the worst power
distortions were located within20 miles of major data center
activity.

Speaker 2 (02:41):
These distortions, known as bad harmonics, can have
serious implications.
They can damage householdappliances and electronics not
designed to handle irregularpower flows, increase
vulnerability to electricalfires and even lead to brownouts
and blackouts in affected areas.

Speaker 1 (02:56):
The impact extends beyond individual households.
The electricity demand fromdata centers is projected to
more than double over the nextdecade, potentially threatening
US grid reliability.
According to a recent JLLreport, the planned for capacity
has nearly doubled, reaching 22gigawatts.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
To keep pace with the current rate of AI adoption,
data centers' power needs areexpected to grow to about three
times their current levels.
This is driving utilities topotentially increase generation
by 7 to 26 percent above 2023levels by 2028.

Speaker 1 (03:30):
The strain on the power grid is not just a
technical issue, but an economicone as well.
Electricity bills in the UnitedStates are expected to see an
extraordinary rise due to theincreasing power demands of data
centers and AI technologies.
This surge in energyconsumption could lead to
significant infrastructureinvestments, with costs likely
to be passed on to consumersthrough higher utility rates.

Speaker 2 (03:53):
It's clear that this rapid expansion of AI-driven
data centers is creating acomplex challenge that requires
innovative solutions.
Experts suggest that datacenters could play a crucial
role in reshaping the energylandscape by participating in
utility demand response programsand setting precedents for
managing larger loads fromemerging technologies.

Speaker 1 (04:25):
Now let's turn to our deep dive for today, which
takes us on a journey back intime to look at some remarkably
accurate predictions made acentury ago.

Speaker 2 (04:34):
In 1925, british scientist and inventor Archibald
Montgomery Lowe made a seriesof visionary predictions about
life in 2025.
What's fascinating is how manyof these predictions have
actually come true.
Lowe accurately forecastedadvancements such as radio alarm
clocks, personal communicationdevices, renewable energy

(04:54):
sources and even movingsidewalks.

Speaker 1 (04:58):
He anticipated the use of radio alarm clocks to
wake people at specific times,personal communication devices
akin to modern smartphones andthe widespread adoption of
loudspeakers and televisionmachines for news and
entertainment.

Speaker 2 (05:11):
Lowe also predicted the harnessing of wind and tidal
power for energy production,which has become increasingly
important in our efforts tocombat climate change.
His foresight extended to urbanmobility as well, with
predictions of moving sidewalksand escalators that we now see
in many airports and shoppingcenters.

Speaker 1 (05:28):
It's worth noting that, while many of Lowe's
predictions have come true, someof his more ambitious forecasts
remain unrealized.
For example, he envisioned afuture where secret cameras and
microphones would be usedubiquitously to record crimes.
While we do have widespreadsurveillance systems today, they
haven't reached the level Loweimagined.

Speaker 2 (05:48):
Lowe also predicted the widespread use of moving
floors and escalators fortransportation.
While we do have these in somesettings, they haven't become a
dominant mode of urban mobilityas he envisioned, and his
prediction of loudspeakersreplacing newspapers for news
delivery has only partiallymaterialized through digital
media, as print journalismcontinues to exist alongside

(06:08):
modern communicationtechnologies.

Speaker 1 (06:10):
You know.
What's particularly interestingabout Lowe is that his
contributions to technologyextended far beyond these
predictions.
He's known as the father ofradio guidance systems due to
his pioneering work in unmannedaerial vehicles and radio
guidance systems.
Due to his pioneering work inunmanned aerial vehicles and
radio guidance systems, in 1917,lowe and his team developed the
world's firstwireless-controlled rocket, a

(06:33):
precursor to modern guidedmissiles.

Speaker 2 (06:38):
He pioneered the development of powered drone
aircraft and worked on earlytelevision technology before
World War I.
His Televista system,demonstrated in 1914, was a
precursor to television,employing a matrix detector and
mosaic screen that in some waysresembled a digital TV system
decades ahead of its time.

Speaker 1 (06:55):
Despite facing skepticism from British military
authorities, Lowe's innovationswere recognized by others.
In fact, the Germans madeunsuccessful attempts to
assassinate him due to thepotential of his inventions.
His work even influenced thedevelopment of German V-1 and
V-2 rockets during World War II.

Speaker 2 (07:13):
Lowe's legacy truly extends beyond his technological
predictions.
His contributions to variousfields, including his authorship
of over 40 books on science andengineering, cemented his place
as a visionary scientist whoseideas continue to resonate in
modern technology.

Speaker 1 (07:29):
Looking back at Lowe's predictions and
inventions, it's clear that hehad an extraordinary ability to
anticipate technological trendsand their potential impact on
society.

Speaker 2 (07:39):
As we continue to push the boundaries of
technology today, it'sfascinating to look back and see
how visionaries like Loweimagined our present.
It makes you wonder whatpredictions we're making today
that might come true in the nexthundred years.

Speaker 1 (08:02):
Thank you, sienna, and thank you to our listeners
for tuning into today's episodeof Discover Daily.
Don't forget to subscribe onyour favorite platform For more
info on anything we coveredtoday.
Check out the links in ourepisode description and don't
forget you can now accessPerplexity's AI-powered
knowledge base on the go withthe mobile app, available for
both Android and iOS.

(08:23):
There's also the Perplexitydesktop app for macOS.
We'll be back with more storiesthat matter.
Until then, stay curious.