"Even if AI turns out not to be as much of an energy hog as people are making it out to be, it could still spell out trouble for power grids across the US. Tech companies are already burning through increasing amounts of electricity to train and run new AI models. And they're asking for a lot more electricity as they try to outcompete each other. That rising demand is already starting to reshape the energy system, with utilities scrambling to build out new gas plants and pipelines."
"The uncertainty is unnerving considering the costs that Americans could wind up paying when it comes to higher utility bills and more pollution, a recent report warns. A transition to cleaner and more affordable energy sources has been making progress slowly in the US. That's in peril unless tech companies and utilities demand more transparency and opt for more renewables like solar and wind energy. "While the AI boom provides exciting opportunities, there are many risks to not approaching energy needs with a deliberate and informed response that takes long term impacts into account,""
AI's growing compute needs could strain US power grids even if AI proves less energy-intensive than feared. Tech companies are consuming increasing electricity to train and run models and are seeking much more as they compete. Rising demand is reshaping the energy system, pushing utilities to plan new gas-fired plants and pipelines. Speculative investments in AI may produce overestimated projections of long-term data-center energy needs, creating uncertainty for utilities. That uncertainty risks higher utility bills, more pollution, and jeopardizes progress toward cleaner, affordable energy unless companies increase transparency and adopt more renewables.
Read at The Verge
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