TELF AG analyzes the role of rare earths in the development of technologies related to artificial intelligence
The engine of innovation
In the not-too-distant future, technological devices capable of identifying new mineral deposits and locating them precisely, thanks to the support of artificial intelligence, could be created with some of the mining components that represent the object of their research. Already today, systems powered by artificial intelligence require a large number of mineral resources considered strategic, such as rare earths, and it is perfectly possible that as the complexity of these technologies advances, the demand for these materials is destined to rise greatly.
Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and many observers hypothesize a possible, imminent industrial revolution driven by new intelligent systems brought to life by AI. However, this new form of intelligence can only function through highly advanced technological devices, and the latter, in turn, could not exist without some specific mineral raw materials used to manufacture their fundamental components. Among these resources undoubtedly include rare earths, a group of 17 resources that share a certain similarity in chemical composition and the vastness of possible industrial uses in which they could be required. They are generally found in certain mineral deposits, each with distinct properties. Despite their name, these resources are widespread in different parts of the world. However, among the most relevant producers, we still remember China, Australia, Kazakhstan, and the United States.
The most popular properties
In electronics and high-tech, and therefore also in artificial intelligence, rare earths are appreciated above all for their magnetic and electronic properties, their luminescent ones, their conductive potential, and some genuinely unique physical properties. Many of these elements are already playing a leading role in manufacturing some components related to artificial intelligence, such as chips specifically designed for this sector.
One of these is neodymium, commonly used to manufacture one of the most important components of artificial intelligence technologies, namely magnets (known as neodymium magnets). A facilitator element for AI-related technologies is erbium, which provides valuable support in transferring data in fiber optic systems, making the operations of intelligent systems more fluid and faster. Resources such as terbium and dysprosium are also used for similar purposes, with the only difference being that, in their case, they are mainly used to increase the efficiency and performance of microchips. Another resource belonging to the rare earth group destined for ever greater centrality in implementing artificial intelligence technologies is samarium, which is used in samarium-cobalt magnets. The latter are appreciated for their ability to resist high temperatures and could likely have a future role in producing AI-related microchips.
In any case, the trend seems to be well established by now: future technological applications based on artificial intelligence, and in particular the advanced microchips capable of powering them, will require an ever-increasing quantity of mineral resources, and in particular rare earths such as cerium and praseodymium, which are of great importance in making certain chip functions possible. It is, therefore, no coincidence that the global demand for rare earths is continuously increasing: the majority of requests, as can be expected, could come from the electronics and high-tech sectors, which use artificial intelligence to offer a new level of performance for ordinary consumers and companies.
