AI boom threatened as Iran war triggers helium rationing

Helium is a critical gas for fibre optics, semiconductors and medical technology - PonyWang/E+ The AI boom is under threat from the Iran war as helium rationing leads to a shortage of fibre-optic cables. Supplies of helium, used in the production of the cables fitted in AI data centres, have been squeezed in recent weeks, by attacks on Gulf energy facilities. Missile strikes on QatarEnergy’s Ras Laffan facility and a shipping shutdown in the Strait of Hormuz have hit supplies of liquid natural gas (LNG) ...