The Real-World Costs of AI: Data Centres, Memory Cycles, and Desktop Agents

Claire and Peter break down the day’s biggest shifts shaping AI beyond the hype. A Gallup survey finds 71% of Americans oppose data centres near their homes, turning “the cloud” into a local politics and infrastructure battle. They explore warnings that the high-bandwidth memory boom could face a familiar boom-bust cycle, and why demand could cool if models get more memory-efficient. Plus: the surge in forward deployed engineers as companies scramble for people who can ship AI into real operations; Anthropic’s Claude Cowork and the governance stakes of desktop agents that can act across apps and files; China’s move toward a comprehensive AI law; AI’s growing presence in film and the need for transparent disclosure; Merriam-Webster naming “AI slop” Word of the Year; capital rotating toward AI-heavy chip markets; how AI may reshape work more than remove it; and the often-overlooked materials supply chain—copper and specialty metals—powering the entire buildout. All on AI in Flow.About Six & FlowSix & Flow is a digital transformation consultancy helping businesses adapt, grow, and thrive in a fast-changing world. We specialise in AI, CRM, and revenue operations, blending strategy, technology, and creativity to deliver measurable impact. From scaling startups to global enterprises, we partner with ambitious teams to unlock growth through smart automation, customer-centric marketing, and forward-thinking sales enablement. Learn more at sixandflow.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.