Growing AI power drain pushes probe of low-energy computing

"Datacenters already account for about 2.5 percent of the UK's electricity use, with demand expected to quadruple by 2030. That puts pressure on a government trying to hit net-zero targets while simultaneously backing AI as a growth driver."

"Neuromorphic computing, which mimics the way the human brain processes information, and silicon photonics, which uses light instead of electrons to move data, are being pitched as ways to slash the energy cost of computation."

"Dame Chi Onwurah, who chairs the committee, didn't sugarcoat the problem. With datacenter demand on track to surge, she said the UK faces a 'fundamental question' about how to scale AI infrastructure without overwhelming the electricity system."

The UK's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is investigating low-energy computing to address the rising electricity demands from AI. Datacenters currently consume about 2.5% of the UK's electricity, with projections indicating a quadrupling of demand by 2030. Emerging technologies like neuromorphic computing and silicon photonics are being considered for their potential to reduce energy costs. The committee aims to determine if these technologies can transition from prototypes to practical solutions that alleviate pressure on the power grid as the clean energy deadline approaches.

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