"What had been up to that point a slick presentation about Microsoft's vision for an AI-enabled future, a technical upheaval Smith likened to the harnessing of electricity, unexpectedly turned into confronting AI's voracious appetite for that very power. Smith had little choice but to acknowledge it. The computational power required by large-scale AI models depends on staggering amounts of energy."
"This year alone, his company will invest $80 billion (US) to roll out AI and data centre infrastructure across North America and forty countries around the world. Microsoft is not alone: Apple will invest $500 billion (US) in AI and other infrastructure over the next four years-"
Responsible AI initiatives are being linked to building data centres powered by carbon-free energy, including investments in former nuclear sites. Large-scale AI models require massive computational power and therefore staggering amounts of electricity. Major technology companies are committing hundreds of billions of dollars to AI and infrastructure expansion across many countries. Projected electricity demand from AI could account for a significant share of national consumption within a few years. Tech firms are engaging with existing nuclear plants and funding new reactor projects to secure reliable, low-carbon energy for AI growth.
Read at The Walrus
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