Data centers powered by artificial intelligence and cloud computing are pushing energy demand and production to new limits. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, global electricity use could increase by up to 75% by 2050, and the tech industry’s AI ambitions are a big driver of that jump.
Data centers that power AI and cloud computing could soon become so large that they could use more electricity than entire cities.
As leaders in the AI race push for further technological advancements and adoption, many are finding that energy demands and sustainability goals are increasingly disconnected.
“If you’re building a new data center that requires as much power as, say, Chicago, you can’t build a way to solve the problem unless you understand the power demand,” said Mark, managing director of Radiant Energy Group. Nelson said. “We need these powers. Steady, direct, 100% power, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” he added.
Big tech companies have focused on renewable energy for years, but are now turning to nuclear power, which can provide large amounts of energy in a more efficient and sustainable way.
Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are among the most prominent companies considering or investing in nuclear power projects. Driven by the energy demands of data centers and AI models, this announcement marks the beginning of an industry-wide trend.
“What we’re seeing is that nuclear power has a lot of benefits,” said Michael Terrell, Google’s senior director of energy and climate. “It’s a carbon-free power source. It’s an always-on, always-on power source. And it has a huge economic impact.”
After nuclear power was largely written off in the past due to widespread concerns about meltdowns and safety risks, and misinformation that dramatized those concerns, experts say tech companies’ recent investments are It is touted as the beginning of a “nuclear revival” that could accelerate the transition. And around the world.
Watch the video above to learn why Big Tech is investing in nuclear power, the opposition they’re facing, and when their nuclear ambitions will actually come true.
