Global AI Growth Drives Electricity Consumption Surge

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving unprecedented electricity demand, with data centers expected to consume up to 9% of U.S. power by 2030, posing significant challenges for energy infrastructure and sustainability. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged that a significant fraction of the world's electricity may eventually be devoted to running AI computations, highlighting the urgency of addressing the power supply constraints. In response, energy and technology leaders are exploring innovative solutions, including enhancing data transparency and readiness for AI applications and investing in advanced energy sources such as nuclear power and fusion. U.S. lawmakers from both parties emphasize nuclear energy as a critical component to meet AI's growing demands sustainably while fostering economic growth and competitiveness. Major technology companies are already partnering to revive nuclear facilities, like the Three Mile Island plant, to power AI operations with low-carbon energy. This intersection of AI and energy underscores a global race not only in technological advancement but also in securing reliable, scalable, and environmentally responsible power sources.