Artificial intelligence requires large amounts of electricity and complicates the transition to carbon-free technologies

The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) requires huge computing power and energy loads, which poses risks to the power grid and the transition to cleaner energy sources. This was the dominant theme of the energy industry conference, which was hosted by global companies, including Amazon and Microsoft, UNN reports with reference to The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider.

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With artificial intelligence driving a huge demand for electricity, clean energy may not be able to meet the growing needs of AI and, consequently, may force AI companies to rely on fossil fuels more than they had hoped. This was discussed at the CERAWeek conference organized by S&P Global, an annual energy conference that brings together thousands of executives in Houston, USA, to discuss topics ranging from geopolitics to the energy transition.

Tech executives who have long declared their commitment to a "green" energy future fear that AI's energy needs will exceed the capacity of clean sources. Wind and solar power are not reliable as they depend on weather conditions. Nuclear power plants take years to build. But according to Toby Rice, CEO of natural gas producer EQT: "the technology is not going to wait 7-10 years to build that infrastructure (...) you still have natural gas." 

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said at the conference that the amount of power consumed by artificial intelligence is simply staggering. It is noted that the amount of electricity that may be needed to power the AI boom is currently unknown, but it is already understood that artificial intelligence has provoked an explosion of data centers. AI requires huge computing power and energy loads, the companies point out.

The problem is even more urgent given the US goals to reduce carbon emissions. In April 2023, Biden set an ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality in the energy sector by 2035 and zero emissions for the US economy by 2050.

There are more optimistic expectations, according to Business Insider. Some executives were convinced that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence would not prevent the transition to clean energy.

We will reach zero emissions by 2050. We still absolutely believe in it

However, the CEO of an electricity company that transmits and distributes electricity from its power plants to consumers adds that "the growth in demand is now making it more challenging.

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European energy policy needs a thorough "update" due to the ambiguity of European treaties; the real challenge is to collectively break the dependence on fossil fuels. The common cause of reducing CO2 emissions to limit climate change should be prioritized. This is the opinion of Michel Derdewe, an expert on energy and European affairs who is the chairman of the think tank Confrontations Europe and Maison de l'Europe in Paris.

Europe did not take advantage of the crisis to globally rethink its energy model. The priority could have been to quickly get rid of imported fossil fuels. Realize that we import at least 300 million euros of fossil energy per day!

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