Bitcoin, AI & One Woman’s Plan🤯

Jill Ford didn’t stumble into Bitcoin mining because she was hoping to get rich quick. No, she came searching for something far more… elusive: sovereignty. After realizing Bitcoin wasn’t just about digital money, but about, well, control, she founded BitFord Digital. A company predicated on the idea that you could, and should, make a profit while maintaining some semblance of a moral compass. It’s a novel concept, really. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Now, she’s busy lecturing everyone about financial literacy – presumably to people who haven’t already lost all their money on Dogecoin – and generally trying to convince marginalized communities that cryptocurrency is the key to escaping… well, everything. She also believes in diversity in tech, which is good. Because let’s be honest, Silicon Valley is about as diverse as a beige conference room.

This Q&A is a peek into her brain, which, based on the topic, must be remarkably well-cooled. It’s all about mining economics, the sudden, and frankly exhausting, love affair between Bitcoin and Artificial Intelligence, and why just because something is trendy doesn’t mean you should jump on the bandwagon. Like Crocs. 🙅🏻‍♀️

With Bitcoin prices and mining rewards doing the cha-cha, do you see mining becoming less profitable, and how are miners trying to cope?

Ford: Mining has always been a bit of a rollercoaster. Anyone with more than two brain cells in the crypto world already knows volatility is the name of the game. But the real issue is the margins. As things get harder and the rewards get smaller – think of it like trying to squeeze blood from a stone – the less efficient operators are the first to go. What we’re seeing now is a rather brutal separation: those who treat this like a little flip and those who are actually building something that lasts.

It requires, you know, actual effort. Miners are tinkering with code, locking in better power deals (good luck with that), and basically trying to sell their flexibility. The days of just plugging something in and hoping for the best are officially over. It’s sad, really.

So, a bunch of Bitcoin mining companies – Core Scientific, CleanSpark, you name it – are now trying to cash in on the AI boom by renting out their data centers. Is this brilliant repurposing, or just grasping at straws? Can miners actually handle AI, or is it a whole different ballgame?

Ford: Look, for those companies, it makes a certain kind of sense. They’ve got the power, they’ve got the money, and they can sign contracts with AI companies who are desperate for space.

But let’s be clear: Bitcoin mining and AI have more of a roommate situation than a committed relationship. They share some hardware, sure, but that’s about it.

Mining is all about power, cooling, and efficient infrastructure. That part translates. But AI cares about deadlines, guaranteed uptime, and security in a way mining just doesn’t. Mining folks think in megawatts. AI folks? Milliseconds. It’s a totally different language.

We’re not jumping on the AI train just to prop up our margins. If it doesn’t fit the site, it doesn’t fit. Turning a mining facility into a fancy AI data center just to look good in a PowerPoint presentation is a terrible idea. Trust me.

Bitcoin mining is flexible. It can turn on and off, respond to grid needs. AI? Wants consistency, a permanent home. There might be places where they can coexist, but we’re viewing AI as a strategic opportunity, not a wholesale pivot. ✨

**Okay, but what does all this existing infrastructure – the cooling, the power contracts – actually offer when you start throwing AI workloads into the mix?**

Ford: It’s simple. We’re good at handling a whole lot of power. We know how to get it, move it, and use it efficiently. It’s a skill.

The problem is most mining sites are designed to be on-demand. AI doesn’t work that way. It needs constant power and even better cooling. You can upgrade, sure, but it’s expensive and potentially wasteful.

The point is, not every mining facility can support AI. And chasing after it just because it’s shiny is… unwise. 🧐

As miners move into the AI world, how does BitFord maintain its commitment to being… nice to the planet?

Ford: For us, sustainability isn’t some marketing buzzword. It’s about common sense. Where does the power come from? How does it affect the local grid? Does the community actually benefit or is it just foot the bill?

If a project stresses the grid or raises electricity prices for everyone else, it’s not progress. It’s just… selfish. We’re not interested.

What about blackouts and higher electricity bills for regular people? Is that a risk?

Ford: When you don’t think things through, yeah, you create problems. It’s not just blackouts; it’s higher bills showing up every month for people who had absolutely no say in the matter.

Doing this responsibly is straightforward: be flexible, use power efficiently, and work with utilities instead of surprising them. Infrastructure should soak up extra energy, not fight for it.

Ignoring that balance? Regulators will step in. And honestly, we should all want to avoid that. 😬

Tell us about Hash Over Cash. Is it still a thing?

Ford: Hash Over Cash was just an experiment to see if we could use mining incentives to help people get back on their feet. The idea was good, it got people talking, but it never really took off.

Right now, we’re focused on other things, but the idea of using infrastructure to create economic opportunities still sticks with me. I’d be open to revisiting it someday, if the timing is right.

Could something like Hash Over Cash work with AI, helping people get trained for these new jobs?

Ford: I think it could. The AI boom is creating a lot of demand-data centers, power systems, technical operations. It’s a natural opportunity to teach people new skills and connect them with real jobs.

But it takes a lot to make it happen. Partners, funding, and long-term commitment are essential. It’s not as simple as launching a website and hoping for the best.

Do you think Bitcoin mining and AI will eventually merge, or will miners stick to crypto?

Ford: I think they’ll converge at the infrastructure level, but not at the business model level. Bitcoin mining is permissionless and financially independent. AI infrastructure is centralized and capital-intensive. Some companies will try to do both, but ultimately, I think most will specialize.

Final Question: Think an AI bubble will burst in 2026?

Ford: Sadly, yes. Parts of the AI market are absolutely frothy. Demand is real, but expectations are… ambitious. We’ve seen this before, and a correction is likely in 2026. Hopefully, it will be a culling, not a catastrophic collapse. The companies that survive will be the ones built on something solid, not just hype. 🎈

2026-01-01 19:30