Introduction to Magnetic Tape Storage

An April 4 U.S. Department of Government Efficiency social post announced that the U.S. General Services Administration IT team “just saved $1M per year by converting 14,000 magnetic tapes (70 year old technology for information storage) to permanent modern digital records.” But it’s not clear where those savings come from.

Digital Storage Technologies

While this social media post doesn’t define the technology used to create permanent modern digital records, it may be useful to discuss what digital storage technologies are currently being used for permanent digital storage and what are common practices for storing data in large enterprises and data centers. My colleague, Jim Handy, who co-authors a report on emerging non-volatile memory with me, created a useful representation of a hierarchy of digital storage and memory technology. This chart plots memory and storage technology performance as bandwidth, or MB/s, and the price of storage, as $/GB on a log/log plot.

Hierarchy of Digital Storage and Memory Technology

L1, L2 and L3 are the fast volatile cache memories in computer processors that store data currently in process with DRAM providing somewhat slower system memory that supports these caches. NAND flash is a non-volatile memory that is increasingly used for primary storage of data that is frequently accessed by DRAM. Hard disk drives are somewhat slower that SSDs using NAND flash memory and are used for secondary storage of data, that needs to be generally available, but doesn’t require the higher performance of primary storage.

Magnetic Tape Technology

Magnetic tape technology uses magnetic recording technology that is similar to that in HDDs but access times for data are longer and thus magnetic tape is used for very infrequently accessed data and archiving. Note that the cost of digital storage in $/GB increases as the performance increases.

Storage Systems in Enterprises and Data Centers

Actual storage systems used in enterprises and data centers, like the GSA, typically uses a combination of these various memory and storage technologies to get the maximum trade-off between performance and cost for the overall storage and memory system. Also, all of these memory and storage technologies are undergoing continuous development that decreases the cost of storage over time, increases the performance or both.

Cost of Magnetic Tape Storage

Magnetic tape is typically used for archived data because it has a low storage cost, the latest generation LTO-9 magnetic tapes, the most popular tape format, currently sell for about $90 for 18TB native capacity which have even higher storage capacity if compression is used. That comes out to about $5/TB for native capacity costs, much lower than HDDs and SSDs. Future generations of LTO tape will provide even cheaper digital storage as shown by the LTO roadmap.

Alternative Archive Storage Technologies

There are other archive storage technologies available, such as optical storage. Optical disc archives are available on the market, but it is not clear that conventional optical storage libraries could provide a significant cost savings compared to modern magnetic tape technology. There are currently several optical storage startup companies that are targeting to provide archive storage alternatives, but these are not available in production yet. There are also companies working on storing archived data on DNA, but there are no commercial archive systems using synthetic DNA storage available today.

Conclusion

So, it is not at all clear how the U.S. General Services Administration can save $1 million per year by replacing 14,000 digital magnetic tapes, unless perhaps, what it meant was that it would consolidate data on older magnetic tapes to more modern higher capacity tapes so fewer tapes would be needed to store the data. Also, doing data migration to more modern media is generally a good idea as older media will degrade over time and the recording format could become obsolete and difficult to migrate.

FAQs

Q: What is the current cost of magnetic tape storage?

A: The latest generation LTO-9 magnetic tapes currently sell for about $90 for 18TB native capacity, which comes out to about $5/TB for native capacity costs.

Q: What are the alternative archive storage technologies available?

A: Alternative archive storage technologies available include optical storage, DNA storage, and cloud storage.

Q: Why is magnetic tape still used for archived data?

A: Magnetic tape is still used for archived data because it has a low storage cost and is suitable for very infrequently accessed data and archiving.

Emerging tech trends in workplaces are revolutionizing the way IT professionals work, with technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) transforming the industry. As these technologies continue to advance, IT professionals must adapt to stay relevant. The future of IT holds much promise, but also poses significant challenges for those who are not prepared.

Changing Role of IT Professionals

The role of IT professionals is changing dramatically, with a shift from traditional technical skills to more strategic and business-focused skills. IT professionals are no longer just technical experts, but also business leaders who must understand the organization’s goals and objectives. They must be able to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and provide strategic guidance on technology investments.

Technical Skills

Technical skills are still essential for IT professionals, but they must be combined with business acumen and soft skills. IT professionals must stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics. They must also be able to analyze complex data sets and provide insights that inform business decisions.

Business Acumen

IT professionals must have a deep understanding of the business and its goals, as well as the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. They must be able to identify areas where technology can improve business processes and provide strategic guidance on technology investments. This requires strong business acumen, as well as the ability to think strategically and make informed decisions.

Emerging Tech Trends

Several emerging tech trends are driving the changes in the role of IT professionals, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies are transforming the way businesses operate and require IT professionals to have new skills and expertise.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most significant emerging tech trends, with the potential to automate many business processes and improve decision-making. IT professionals must understand how to implement and manage AI systems, as well as ensure that they are secure and reliable. They must also be able to analyze the data generated by AI systems and provide insights that inform business decisions.

Blockchain

Blockchain is another emerging tech trend that is changing the way businesses operate. IT professionals must understand how to implement and manage blockchain systems, as well as ensure that they are secure and reliable. They must also be able to analyze the data generated by blockchain systems and provide insights that inform business decisions.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices, vehicles, and other items that are embedded with sensors and software, allowing them to collect and exchange data. IT professionals must understand how to implement and manage IoT systems, as well as ensure that they are secure and reliable. They must also be able to analyze the data generated by IoT systems and provide insights that inform business decisions.

Skills Required for Future IT Professionals

The skills required for future IT professionals are changing, with a focus on strategic thinking, business acumen, and soft skills. IT professionals must be able to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, as well as provide strategic guidance on technology investments.

Strategic Thinking

IT professionals must be able to think strategically, identifying areas where technology can improve business processes and provide strategic guidance on technology investments. This requires a deep understanding of the business and its goals, as well as the ability to analyze complex data sets and provide insights that inform business decisions.

Business Acumen

IT professionals must have a deep understanding of the business and its goals, as well as the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. They must be able to identify areas where technology can improve business processes and provide strategic guidance on technology investments.

Soft Skills

Soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving, are essential for IT professionals. They must be able to work effectively with non-technical stakeholders, as well as provide strategic guidance on technology investments. They must also be able to analyze complex data sets and provide insights that inform business decisions.

Challenges Facing IT Professionals

IT professionals face several challenges, including the need to stay up-to-date with emerging tech trends, as well as the need to develop new skills and expertise. They must also be able to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, as well as provide strategic guidance on technology investments.

Staying Up-to-Date

IT professionals must stay up-to-date with emerging tech trends, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT). This requires a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, as well as the ability to analyze complex data sets and provide insights that inform business decisions.

Developing New Skills

IT professionals must develop new skills and expertise, including strategic thinking, business acumen, and soft skills. This requires a deep understanding of the business and its goals, as well as the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the future of IT holds much promise, but also poses significant challenges for IT professionals. Emerging tech trends, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), are transforming the way businesses operate and require IT professionals to have new skills and expertise. IT professionals must be able to think strategically, communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and provide strategic guidance on technology investments. They must also be able to analyze complex data sets and provide insights that inform business decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the emerging tech trends that are changing the role of IT professionals?

A: The emerging tech trends that are changing the role of IT professionals include artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Q: What skills are required for future IT professionals?

A: The skills required for future IT professionals include strategic thinking, business acumen, and soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Q: How can IT professionals stay up-to-date with emerging tech trends?

A: IT professionals can stay up-to-date with emerging tech trends by committing to ongoing learning and professional development, as well as analyzing complex data sets and providing insights that inform business decisions.

Q: What are the challenges facing IT professionals?

A: The challenges facing IT professionals include the need to stay up-to-date with emerging tech trends, develop new skills and expertise, and communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Q: How can IT professionals develop new skills and expertise?

A: IT professionals can develop new skills and expertise by committing to ongoing learning and professional development, as well as seeking out new challenges and opportunities.

Introduction to AI and Its Impact

AI will be the most transformative technology of our lifetimes. However, even I, a firm advocate for the good I think it will do, can see that there is a huge amount of hype and confusion around it. Some of the biggest and most powerful corporations have bet the house on selling it to us. It’s also a highly contentious subject, with many rightly concerned about its possible impact on jobs, privacy, and security.

Concerns About AI

Another frequently voiced fear is that AI will be used to create disinformation that could further political narratives or even influence our democratic choices. There are two claims made frequently – the first is that AI can be used to spread extremist beliefs and maybe even create extremists. The second is that AI output veers towards the “woke” – a term originally used by African American civil rights protesters but now most frequently used by conservatives to refer to progressive or pro-social-justice ideas and beliefs.

Does AI Have A Left-Wing Bias?

Conservative and right-wing commentators frequently make the claim that AI and the Silicon Valley culture, where it often originates from, have a left-wing bias. And it does seem that there is at least some evidence to back up these beliefs. A number of studies, including one by the University Of East Anglia in 2023 and one published in the Journal of Economic Behavior And Organization, make the case that this is true. Of course, generative AI doesn’t actually have a political opinion – or any opinions, for that matter. Everything it “knows” comes from data scraped from the web.

Understanding AI’s Data Sources

If that data happens to support a progressive consensus – for example, if the majority of climate science data supports theories that climate change is man-made – then the AI is likely to present this as true. Rather than simply presenting facts with a left-wing bias, some of the research focuses on findings that AI will just refuse to process "right-wing image generation" requests. And when prompts describe images featuring progressive talking points like “racial-ethic equality” or “transgender acceptance,” the results are more likely to show positive images (happy people, for example).

Can AI Turn Us Into Extremists?

While some researchers are concerned that AI will turn everyone into liberals, others are more worried that it will be used to radicalize people or further extremist agendas. The International Centre For Counter-Terrorism, based at The Hague, reports that terrorist groups already widely use generative AI to create and spread propaganda. This includes using fake images and videos to spread narratives that align with their values. Terrorist and extremist groups, including Islamic State, have even released guides demonstrating how to use AI to develop propaganda and disinformation.

The Role of Humans in AI Bias

Again, this is a case of humans using AI to persuade people to adopt their views rather than an indication that AI is extreme or prone to suggesting extreme ideas and behaviors. However, one inherent risk with AI is its capability to reinforce extreme views through the algorithmic echo-chamber effect. This happens when social media and news platforms use AI to suggest content based on past engagement. This often results in users being shown more of what they already agree with, creating “echo chambers,” where people repeatedly see content that mirrors their existing beliefs. If those beliefs are extreme, AI can amplify its effect by serving up similar, more radical content.

Can AI Really Influence The Way We Think?

It’s essential to remember that while AI is likely to play an increasing role in shaping the way we consume information, it can’t directly influence our beliefs. It should also be noted that AI can also help counter these threats. It can detect bias in data, for example, that could lead to biased responses, and it can find and remove extremist content from the Internet. Nevertheless, there is clearly a perception, which appears to be justified, that groups of all political affiliations will inevitably use it to try to steer public opinion.

Conclusion

Understanding where misinformation comes from and who might be trying to spread it helps us to hone our critical-thinking skills and become better at understanding when somebody (or some machine) is trying to influence us. These skills will become increasingly important as AI becomes more ingrained in everyday life, no matter which way we lean politically.

FAQs

• Q: Can AI have a political bias?
  A: AI itself doesn’t have opinions, but the data it’s trained on can reflect biases, which it may then present as factual.
• Q: Can AI be used to spread extremist beliefs?
  A: Yes, AI can be used to create and spread propaganda, but this is a result of human action rather than AI’s inherent properties.
• Q: How can AI influence political opinions?
  A: AI can influence opinions indirectly by creating echo chambers where users are shown content that aligns with their existing views, potentially amplifying extreme beliefs.
• Q: Can AI detect and remove bias or extremist content?
  A: Yes, AI can be used to detect bias in data and remove extremist content from the internet, helping to counter misinformation and radicalization efforts.