The race for satellite internet connectivity is accelerating as a fundamental enabler for AI integration across devices and services. Satellite internet providers are rapidly expanding through partnerships with nations, phone manufacturers, airlines, and other industries, creating always-on connectivity that AI systems require to function optimally. This technological convergence is particularly critical for AI agents and IoT devices, which need constant connections to receive model updates and effectively automate various aspects of daily life.
The big picture: Satellite internet is experiencing tremendous growth as providers forge partnerships across multiple sectors, with AI capabilities emerging as a significant driver for further expansion.
- Nations and states are contracting with satellite providers to fill connectivity gaps for their residents and maintain critical infrastructure connections.
- Phone manufacturers are building satellite capabilities directly into their devices, while airlines partner with satellite operators to provide reliable in-flight streaming services.
Why this matters: The AI industry sees universal connectivity as essential because AI agents—the smart virtual assistants that can automate aspects of daily life—require persistent internet access to function effectively.
- AI agents must be on call 24/7 to deliver their promised convenience and functionality, necessitating always-available internet connections.
- The rapid pace of AI development means models need frequent updates, making direct connectivity indispensable for maintaining cutting-edge performance.
Key details: According to Anshel Sag, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, cloud dependency remains critical for AI deployment because of the technology’s rapid evolution.
- “We’re still very much dependent on the cloud because things are changing so fast,” Sag explains, noting that models require regular updates rather than one-time deployments to endpoints.
- The satellite internet expansion will particularly benefit Internet of Things (IoT) devices, including robot vacuums, luggage trackers, and remote security cameras that currently struggle with connectivity issues.
The technical foundation: Satellite internet solves the “always connected” challenge that has limited AI agent functionality, creating the infrastructure for truly ambient intelligence in everyday devices.
- Currently deployed AI models require regular updates to remain useful and secure, making persistent connectivity a prerequisite rather than a luxury.
- As satellite internet eliminates connectivity gaps, manufacturers can confidently build AI capabilities into more products, knowing they’ll maintain their cloud connection regardless of location.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...