The intersection of AI, fossil fuels, and climate change is getting increasingly complicated. President Trump's policies are set to exacerbate the issue, with a focus on expediting fossil-fuel development and halting climate investments.¹ This has led to concerns that the US will rely more heavily on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, to power AI data centers.²
The demand for energy to power AI is skyrocketing, with some US utilities warning that fossil fuels will be needed for longer to meet this demand.³ This surge in energy demand is not only driven by AI but also by the growing need for data storage and processing. As a result, there's a pressing need for more energy-efficient data centers, computationally efficient AI models, and clean energy sources to power them.⁴
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the US is poised to increase its gas exports, which could lead to higher energy prices and increased reliance on fossil fuels.⁵ With the world already struggling to meet its climate goals, the convergence of these trends is a worrying development.
