AI's Next Great Divide Might Be Clean Energy Access
A growing concern is emerging about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on global energy consumption, with some experts warning that the next great divide may be between those who can power AI and those who cannot.
According to a recent report by Ember, daily electricity use spiked by as much as 14% during Europe's heatwave in July 2025, straining already overwhelmed grids. This surge in demand is largely driven by the increasing energy needs of AI data centers, which are expanding rapidly to meet growing compute demands.
"The AI boom has created a perfect storm of energy consumption," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on sustainable energy and AI at the University of California, Berkeley. "As we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI, we're also pushing the limits of our energy infrastructure."
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global electricity demand will increase by 30% by 2030, largely driven by the growth of data centers and other digital infrastructure. This trend is expected to exacerbate existing energy disparities, particularly in regions with limited access to clean energy.
"The next great divide may not be between rich and poor, but between those who can power AI and those who cannot," warned Dr. Rodriguez. "We're already seeing this play out in countries like Africa, where energy access is a significant challenge."
The issue of clean energy access is particularly pressing for AI development, as the technology requires massive amounts of electricity to operate. Data centers, which house servers that process and store vast amounts of data, are among the largest consumers of energy globally.
To mitigate this trend, experts recommend investing in renewable energy sources and developing more efficient technologies. "We need to rethink our approach to energy consumption and find ways to make AI more sustainable," said Dr. Rodriguez.
The IEA has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of data centers and promoting clean energy access for AI development. The initiative, which brings together industry leaders, governments, and experts from around the world, aims to develop a roadmap for sustainable AI development by 2027.
As the demand for AI continues to grow, so too will the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges of clean energy access. With the stakes high and the clock ticking, one thing is clear: the future of AI depends on our ability to power it sustainably.
Background
The growth of AI has been rapid in recent years, with applications ranging from healthcare to finance to transportation. However, this growth has also led to increasing concerns about energy consumption and sustainability.
According to a report by the IEA, global electricity demand is expected to increase by 30% by 2030, largely driven by the growth of data centers and other digital infrastructure.
Additional Perspectives
Industry leaders are also sounding the alarm on the need for sustainable AI development. "We must prioritize clean energy access and reduce our carbon footprint," said Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, Inc. "The future of AI depends on it."
Current Status and Next Developments
As the demand for AI continues to grow, so too will the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges of clean energy access. The IEA's new initiative aims to develop a roadmap for sustainable AI development by 2027.
In the meantime, experts recommend investing in renewable energy sources and developing more efficient technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of data centers.
Sources
Ember: "Europe's heatwave highlights the need for sustainable AI development"
International Energy Agency (IEA): "Global electricity demand expected to increase by 30% by 2030"
University of California, Berkeley: Dr. Maria Rodriguez, expert on sustainable energy and AI
*Reporting by Forbes.*
