From nuclear to quantum computing, how Big Tech intends to power AI's insatiable thirst for energy
A huge upswing in the number of data centers shows no signs of slowing down, prompting Big Tech to consider how best to power the AI revolution.
A huge upswing in the number of data centers worldwide shows no signs of slowing down, prompting Big Tech to consider how best to power the artificial intelligence revolution.
Some of the options on the table include a pivot to nuclear, liquid cooling for data centers and quantum computing.
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Critics, however, have said that as the pace of efficiency gains in electricity use slows, tech giants should recognize the cost of the generative AI boom across the whole supply chain — and let go of the "move fast and break things" narrative.
"The actual environmental cost is quite hidden at the moment. It is just subsidized by the fact that tech companies need to get a product and a buy-in," Somya Joshi, head of division: global agendas, climate and systems at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), told CNBC via video call.
A wave of data center investment is expected to accelerate even further in the coming years, according to the International Energy Agency, primarily driven by growing digitalization and the uptake of generative AI.
It is this prospect that has stoked concerns about an electricity demand surge — as well as AI's often-overlooked but critically important environmental impact.
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Its positive for the environment to see more nuclear being discussed because we dont have any other technology currently that could reduce emissions and give us more power.