ArticleBody:It’s no secret at this point that popular generative AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT have a hefty data appetite. The billions, and sometimes trillions, of parameters of information needed to train these models are housed in massive data centers that use electricity for cooling and processing power. But new predictions and forecasts suggest increasing demand for ever-more-powerful AI models could stretch current energy supplies further than we once thought.
’s analysis warns widespread adoption of generative AI tools in coming years could result in a “step change in power requirements.” By 2030, the report notes, data center energy requirements could account for anywhere between 4.6% and 9.1% of total US electricity generated by 2030. That’s compared to 4% today. The newfound demand isn’t limited to the US either. By 2026, The International Energy Agency estimates data center energy demand globally could double by 2026.
estimates a simple query to OpenAI’s ChatGPT requires around 10 times as much electricity as a typical Google search. That wide disparity is likely due to the vast swath of training data and computing power required to make these models perform as intended. And that’s just for text responses. The amount of data generated by emerging generative AI audio and video models like OpenAI’s Sora “have no precedent” according to the report.
called on data centers to investigate ways to increase internal efficiency by reducing the amount of electricity used for temperature cooling and lighting. Cooling alone, reportedly accounts for around 40% of data center energy use. Additionally, the notes backup generators powered by renewable energy sources could also play a role in supporting more reliable, sustainable energy grids. “Shifting the data center-grid relationship from the current ‘passive load’ model to a collaborative ‘shared energy economy’” the report notes, “could not only help electric companies contend with the explosive growth of AI but also contribute to affordability and reliability for all electricity users.