Artificial intelligence is fueling a global energy crisis, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The energy consumption from data centers, including those running AI, is expected to double within the next five years, accounting for 3% of global electricity by 2030. AI alone may be responsible for more than half of this surge.
Data centers currently use as much power as 100,000 households, with hyperscale centers potentially needing 20 times more power in the future. The resulting emissions will be substantial, with data centers generating 1.4% of the world's combustion-based emissions, comparable to the aviation sector. The embodied emissions from building new facilities and producing equipment will add to the environmental cost.
While AI contributes to the energy crisis, it also holds potential for energy efficiency and climate remedies. AI can improve power grids, enhance renewable energy, identify infrastructure leaks, design efficient transport networks, and find sustainable materials. However, the IEA warns that these benefits will be "marginal" without pro-climate regulatory regimes and incentives.
Critics argue that the agency's projections underestimate the urgency of the situation and that stronger guidance is needed to mitigate the risks associated with mega data centers. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, the role of AI in exacerbating the problem and potentially helping to solve it will continue to be a topic of debate.
