Data centers powering artificial intelligence and cloud computing are pushing energy demand and production to new limits. Global electricity use could rise by up to 75% by 2050, according to the US Department of Energy, as demand from the technology industry grows. Artificial intelligence ambitions Driving a lot of the boom.
Data centers powered by artificial intelligence and cloud computing could soon grow very large They can use more electricity than entire cities.
As the leaders of the AI race seek to achieve and deploy further technological advances, many are finding that their energy needs are increasingly at odds with their sustainability goals.
“A new data center that needs the same amount of electricity as Chicago can't build its way out of the problem unless they understand their energy needs,” said Mark Nelson, managing director of Radiant Energy Group. He added: “This energy requires 100% constant and direct energy, 24 hours a day, 365 hours.”
After years of focusing on renewable energy sources, big technology companies are now turning to nuclear power for its ability to provide massive energy in a more efficient and sustainable way.
Google, Amazon, Microsoft and dead Among the most well-known names exploring or investing in nuclear power projects. Judging by the power requirements of their data centers and AI models, their announcements represent the beginning of an industry-wide trend.
“What we're seeing is that nuclear energy has a lot of benefits,” said Michael Terrill, senior director of energy and climate at Google. “It's a carbon-neutral source of electricity. It's an electricity source that can always be on, all the time. And it provides a huge economic impact.”
After nuclear power was largely dismissed in the past due to widespread concerns about meltdowns and safety risks — and misinformation that helped dramatize those concerns — experts are touting the recent technology investments as The beginning of the “nuclear renaissance.”“This can lead to acceleration Energy transformation in the United States and around the world.
Watch the video Above to learn why big tech companies are investing in nuclear power, the opposition they face, and when their nuclear ambitions could become a reality.
