Gulf Business · 14 Sep, 12:11 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

Compute is the new oil: ‘The Entropy Trap’ author Mickey M Maini on the AI buildout

Mickey M Maini, author of ‘The Entropy Trap’, argues that compute power has become the critical resource driving modern economic value, akin to oil.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Mickey M Maini, author of ‘The Entropy Trap’, argues that compute power has become the critical resource driving modern economic value, akin to oil. Reporting by Gulf Business highlights the massive infrastructure buildout required to support artificial intelligence. This shift underscores the physical and energetic constraints of AI expansion. Professionals must recognise that computational capacity is no longer merely a technical detail but a central strategic asset. The narrative emphasises the tangible costs and logistical challenges inherent in scaling AI systems, moving the conversation beyond software algorithms to the underlying hardware and energy demands.

Employer demand for Sustainable Computing skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

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This shift means compute literacy is now essential. You must understand the cost structures behind AI deployment. Technical roles in infrastructure, energy management, and data centre operations will see increased demand. However, strategic leaders must also grasp these constraints to make viable investment decisions. Do not ignore the physical layer of technology. You should evaluate your current skill set against these emerging infrastructure needs. If you manage budgets, learn to assess compute efficiency. If you are in operations, consider upskilling in sustainable computing or cloud architecture. A smart professional recognises that AI strategy is now intertwined with resource management. Start by auditing your organisation’s compute usage and exploring courses in sustainable computing or cloud infrastructure to future-proof your career.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Sustainable Computing, Cloud Computing, AI Strategy and Engineering — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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