Artificial intelligence could soon surpass Bitcoin mining in energy consumption, according to Alex de Vries-Gao, a doctoral candidate at the Institute for Environmental Studies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
His research estimates that by the end of 2025, AI could account for almost half of the total electricity used by data centers worldwide – raising significant concerns about its impact on global climate goals.
“While companies like Google and Microsoft disclose their overall emissions, few provide transparency about how much of that is specifically due to AI,” DIGIT reports . To fill this gap, de Vries-Gao used a triangulation method that combines chip production data, company disclosures, and industry analyst estimates to map AI’s growing energy footprint.
His analysis shows that specialized AI hardware could consume between 46 and 82 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2025 – comparable to the annual energy consumption of countries like Switzerland.
Based on supply chain data, the study estimates that millions of AI accelerators from NVIDIA and AMD were produced between 2023 and 2024, with a potential combined power demand exceeding 12 gigawatts (GW).
A detailed explanation of his methodology is available in his commentary published in Joule.
George is still wondering what he is doing here….
Yes, but we will have… artificial intelligence (AI) that, when you write in your message: “I hope no more evil finds you”, will correct it to: “I hope no more good finds you”, SINCE by virtue of AI, the word “evil” is evil…
Also, some psychopaths will be able to make (create videos) through such... intelligence Margaret Thatcher walk around naked in front of "number 10" in London.
We, on the other hand, use paper straws to avoid pollution and to avoid burdening the planet...