Tech giants work to avert an AI‑driven energy crisis
Smart cooling and software efficiency have already cut AI energy use by 20–30%, yet overall demand continues to climb.
The AI boom is triggering alarms in the energy sector, with data centres expected to consume 3% of the world’s electricity by 2030, double today’s share. This projection has spurred tech firms to pursue aggressive efficiency strategies.
Control systems powered by AI regulate cooling more precisely, while liquid cooling systems replace inefficient air-based approaches. Cutting-edge chips and more innovative software have already yielded energy savings of 20–30% per workflow.
Infrastructure improvements mean data-centre support systems now consume just 10% of the energy that powering the servers does. Despite these advances, the total energy demand continues to rise, prompting investments in technology upgrades and low-carbon power sources.
A global race is underway as US and Chinese companies push for increasingly efficient AI chips. Still, experts warn that overall consumption will grow, so efficiency alone won’t be enough. Broad energy planning and sustainable strategies are critical to avoid a looming power crunch as AI proliferates.
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