Engines & Margins

Science & Technology

The infrastructure, engineering, and economics behind modern technology.

Engines & Margins covers the physical systems powering AI and modern technology — chips, power, cooling, networks, and the businesses that build and finance them.

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The $7 Trillion Machine Behind AI

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Built on sourcing, not hype

  • Claims are sourced where a reliable primary source exists, and clearly flagged for verification where one doesn't.
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  • Interactive tools use transparent, documented formulas — not black-box estimates.

Latest analysis

Recent articles

Infrastructure6 min read

The Hidden Economy Behind AI Data Centers

AI looks like software, but the machine behind it is physical: chips, servers, networks, cooling, power, land, and capital. A look at who actually profits from the AI infrastructure buildout.

  • data centers
  • AI infrastructure
  • power
  • semiconductors

Interactive tools

Do the math yourself

AI Data Center Power & Cost Calculator

Estimate the electricity load and cost of an AI GPU cluster from GPU count, power draw, PUE, and utilization.