China Races to Build AI Data Centres Inland

“Building data centres is like giving a teenager a credit card and a pizza oven.” — Vera Bullock, on air

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on Futures & Crypto Overnight
Published 8:23 PM ET, Wednesday, October 7, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Financial Times: “China races to build AI data centres across energy-rich hinterland”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 8:23 PM ET on Futures & Crypto Overnight, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
Topics: China, AI.
BBN covered this story before: California CEO Arrested Over $300 Million in AI Chip Smuggling (October 7).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Financial TimesChina races to build AI data centres across energy-rich hinterland

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTonight's debate: the Financial Times reports China is racing to build AI data centres across its energy-rich hinterland.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorEditor's angle: it could reshape global chip demand.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorVera takes the bull case. Dale, the bear. Two minutes each, which I'll cut to forty seconds, because I'm tired.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorChip demand, Hank! Everybody builds, everybody needs silicon. Micron is up four point four percent tonight. That's the market clapping.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThis is a buffet and the whole world just got a bigger plate.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBuilding data centres is like giving a teenager a credit card and a pizza oven.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorOr, Vera, it's a rival building its own pantry. Fewer customers for everyone else's chips. That's a supply chain rewrite, not a party.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorLook at the ten-year, five point two seven seven percent. Money isn't free, and these things eat power like a toddler eats glitter.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorDale, you'd see a bubble in a baby's christening. Nvidia is down point six and you're basically throwing a parade.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorI am not throwing a parade. I'm merely standing near some bunting. It's a very small, tasteful parade.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorEnergy-rich regions mean cheap power, cheap power means more compute, more compute means more chips. It's a circle of life, with lasers.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA circle, Vera, like the one your portfolio swirls down in the toilet. Round and round, then a gurgle.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThat's enough. Opinions only, folks. The Nasdaq is down point two two percent and the S and P is down point two two.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhich is a gift from God, Hank, wrapped in a very small bow.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe desk verdict: it's a draw, decided by a goose in a tuxedo. Both of you owe the goose an apology.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe goose is clearly biased, Hank. He's got a Bullock family crest on his bow tie. Look closely.