AI’s energy hunger drives nuclear energy resurgence
Big Tech’s energy needs are pushing the nuclear renaissance as AI models become increasingly power-hungry.
The rapid advancement of AI is placing immense pressure on global energy infrastructure, with data centres consuming more electricity than ever. As AI systems grow in complexity and scale, the energy required to support their operations is rising sharply, as stated in Bogdan Stojanovic’s blog on diplomacy.edu.
Training deep learning models, particularly those involving natural language processing and computer vision, demands substantial computational power, resulting in greater energy consumption and higher carbon emissions.
Estimates suggest that by 2030, AI-driven energy consumption could surpass that of entire nations like India.
The escalating power demands of AI have prompted technology giants to explore cleaner, more reliable energy sources. Unlike intermittent solar and wind power, nuclear energy provides a steady supply of low-carbon electricity.
Studies by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe indicate that nuclear energy’s carbon footprint is significantly smaller than that of coal or even wind power.
Big Tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta are increasingly investing in nuclear energy projects to mitigate their growing carbon footprints and ensure reliable power for their AI infrastructure.
Microsoft has committed to becoming carbon-negative by 2030 despite its emissions surging by 30% from 2020 to 2023, largely due to AI-related data centre expansion. The company’s partnership with Constellation Energy aims to revitalise the defunct Three Mile Island nuclear plant.
Meanwhile, Google is collaborating with startup Kairos Power to develop advanced reactors, and Amazon is investing in small modular reactors through xEnergy.
As AI continues to grow in complexity and utility, nuclear power is emerging as a crucial component of Big Tech’s energy strategy.
Industry leaders like Bill Gates and Sam Altman are investing heavily in next-generation nuclear solutions, recognising that AI’s continued growth relies on consistent, low-carbon energy sources. The push for nuclear energy is no longer a distant possibility but a necessity for ensuring AI’s sustainability.
For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.
About author
DW Team
The GIP Digital Watch Observatory team, consisting of over 30 digital policy experts from around the world, excels in the fields of research and analysis on digital policy issues. The team is backed by the creative prowess of Creative Lab Diplo and the technical expertise of the Diplo tech team.