  Pixelated dark energy is a string theory scenario with a quantum mechanically
stable cosmological constant. The number of pixels that make up the universe
slowly increases, manifesting as a time-dependent source of dark energy. DESI
has recently reported evidence for dynamical dark energy that fits within this
framework. In light of this, we perform the first cosmological analysis of the
pixelated model. We find that the simplest model where the pixel growth rate is
constant is unable to accommodate the data, providing a comparable fit to
$\Lambda$CDM; but that models where the pixel growth rate is increasing and of
order the Hubble constant today are compatible. Our analysis helps to clarify
the features of UV constructions of dark energy necessary to accommodate the
data.
