The discussion surrounding data centres is escalating as the AI industry grows rapidly, with projected tripling of power needs in both the USA and Europe by 2030. Ireland, being a hub for tech multinationals, faces pressure to balance climate action with the economic benefits of data centres. Taoiseach Micheál Martin emphasizes the need for Ireland to engage in this technological transformation without overlooking environmental responsibilities. Critics argue that data centres consume excessive energy and provide limited local job benefits, highlighting the complexities of this Faustian bargain in the tech sector.
"Do we think we can just park ourselves at the side of the road while this massive, profound change is occurring in technology and then just pick it all up again in five or six years' time? We will not be able to do that," he said in the Dáil last week.
The debate over data centres and the amount of power they use is only going to intensify as the AI race takes hold. According to McKinsey consultants, data centre power needs in the USA are projected to roughly triple by 2030 to keep pace with the rapid adoption of AI.
During his visit to the United States, Taoiseach Micheál Martin was emphasising how Ireland has to "step up". He said Ireland and other countries have to keep climate action in mind but we cannot ignore what he said are the economic and industry benefits of data centres.
Opponents of data centres argue they swallow up far too much energy, are bad for the environment and the local jobs benefit is overstated.
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