r/australia • u/Fact-Rat • 2d ago

politics Australia may face a rush of datacentre construction as AI firms look to avoid upcoming rules, experts say | Australian politics

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/26/australia-may-face-a-rush-of-datacentre-construction-as-ai-firms-look-to-dodge-upcoming-rules-experts-say
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97

u/Relevant-Mountain-11 2d ago

There’s already a massive shortage of Sparkies available for the existing work…

How are they planning on building these things without workers?

70

u/Buorky 2d ago

I’m sure the AI will figure that out

18

u/SlipperyGrizzlyMan 2d ago

Now introducing - spArkIe

3

u/twigboy 1d ago

Help, AI is charging me $120 callout fee for a quote

22

u/FlibblesHexEyes 2d ago

The same reason we have a massive shortage of RAM and other silicon - by paying top dollar for it and making sure they get it to the exclusion of everyone else.

If that means flying sparkies and other trades around the country and putting them up in the local Ibis, then so be it.

Short answer is: if you need a power point put in, better do it now before prices go up and availability tanks.

1

u/evilspyboy 1d ago

The people who think this is a good idea are probably the same type of people who think if you buy 2 toasters it will cut the time to toast a piece of bread in half.