AI is everywhere these days — helping us write emails, create art, talk to chatbots, and even make business decisions. Companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft are in a race to build bigger and smarter AI systems. Sounds exciting, right?
But here’s something you don’t often hear: this AI boom comes with a massive hidden cost.
And it’s not just money — it’s the environment, your energy bills, and the power grid we all rely on.
Let’s break it down in simple terms.👇
Training and running AI models like ChatGPT or Grok isn’t just about smart code — it needs supercomputers housed in giant data centers the size of football stadiums. These machines run non-stop, 24/7.
Here’s what’s happening around the world:
- In Virginia, electricity use from data centers is expected to triple by 2040.
- In Ireland, data centers used 21% of all electricity in 2023 — yes, one-fifth of the entire country’s power!
- In the U.S., AI data centers could use up to 9% of the country’s total electricity by 2030.
Why does this matter? Because our power grids are already under pressure from heatwaves, storms, and growing energy demand. AI could push them over the edge.